More than 80 rough sleepers housed in Redbridge during coronavirus pandemic

Ryedale Care Centre has been transformed to create an additional 34-bed space facility. (Credit pic: Google maps)

Housing has been provided for 82 rough sleepers in Redbridge to help them self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A range of extra accommodation and support options during the crisis have been developed to ensure somewhere safe is available for the homeless.

Ryedale Care Centre, in Barking, has been transformed to create an additional 34-bed space facility.

The accommodation gives them access to their own room, access to a kitchen space, and an in-house catering service providing them with three meals a day.

Results are a combined effort of Redbridge Council along with Single Homeless Project (SHP), Welcome Centre and other partners.

There were 24 individuals provided with accommodation after a team of the Redbridge Council’s outreach workers encouraged those in need on the streets, to take advantage of the new facilities.

One rough sleeper, who was discharged from hospital was also accommodated, whilst a further 10 people were moved into single rooms.

Bed & breakfast accommodation has been provided for 31 rough sleepers, while an additional 4 people have been housed at the Council’s rough sleeping shelter Malachi Place.

The remaining 13 rough sleepers have been accommodated in hotels provided by the Greater London Authority.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Councillor Farah Hussain, said: “Thanks to the sheer hard work and determination of our staff and partners, who have all gone the extra mile, we were able to set up a special facility for rough sleepers at the Ryedale Care Centre, where we can accommodate the rough sleepers that need our help.

“This facility is staffed on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, and will enable many those rough sleeping in Redbridge to isolate safely, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sadly, however, there remain some individuals sleeping out and new rough sleepers coming onto the streets in the borough, so there is much more work to do.

Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal commented: “No one should ever have to sleep rough. We’ve been working for years to end rough sleeping in Redbridge, opening new hostels and encouraging local rough sleepers to come off of the streets.

“It has not always been easy, and due to a range of reasons including substance addiction and mental health, there remain rough sleepers who do not wish to move to shelters, however, during this pandemic, it has become essential to persuade them to come inside and stay safe.”

“When this crisis is over, we will work harder to do everything we can to help support rough sleepers off of the streets of Redbridge.

“Ending rough sleeping is a personal mission for me, we all deserve a safe place to stay, a hot meal and help and advice to turn our lives around – and that is exactly what we want to offer all rough sleepers in Redbridge, now and in the future.”

If you see a rough sleeper, please report it online at https://www.streetlink.org.uk/ or call 0300 5000 914. They will arrange for a local outreach officer to visit and help.