Coronavirus: Appeal for landlords to offer homes for rough sleepers after lockdown ends

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, the council has been working hard to implement government guidance to protect rough sleepers from the spread of the virus to make sure emergency accommodation and support are available.

More than 50 rough sleepers have been temporarily rehoused in local hotels and bed and breakfast facilities and provided with ongoing support, such as treatment programmes and financial advice, to help them move on to permanent accommodation when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Now, the council is asking any landlords with available homes in the district to get in touch to help provide more permanent accommodation.

Cllr Samantha Hoy, Fenland District Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “We are continuing to respond to the coronavirus crisis and are doing everything we can to support the needs of homeless people and those at risk of homelessness across the district.

“As well as making sure all rough sleepers are safe during these unprecedented times, we are using this opportunity to ensure they are ready to be permanently rehoused and working hard to ensure that nobody needs to return to the streets once this is over.

“We need further guidance and financial support from the Government to make that possible, but we also need help from private landlords to ensure we have the resource available.

“If any landlord has a property that is currently available or going to be available in the near future I would urge them to get in touch.”

Landlords that can offer help can contact the council on 01354 654321 and ask for the housing options team or email: [email protected].

Anyone in need of urgent housing advice or assistance can use the contact details above or complete an online referral at: www.fenland.gov.uk/housingadvice.