Hotels could be used for Peterborough’s rough sleepers after coronavirus lockdown but challenges remain

Dozens of homeless residents in the city have been put up in hotels during the current crisis after a government demand to accommodate all rough sleepers within 24 hours.

And some of those currently making use of three Peterborough hotels which have offered their services are reportedly engaging with the city council for the first time due to fears of catching the virus if they remain outside.

The developments have given optimism to the man responsible for housing in Peterborough, council cabinet member Cllr Steve Allen, that many rough sleepers will take up the offer of permanent accommodation once the current lockdown has ended.

Explaining why it took until the lockdown for some people to be accommodated, he said: “What we have to look at are the people we are dealing with. When you explain to them there’s a pandemic and their lives are in danger they are probably more responsive to taking advice and accommodation than normally. Some of the people we are dealing with are habitual rough sleepers.

“There is no reason for anyone to be sleeping on the streets in Peterborough, but they choose to. There is a government review now into rough sleeping (to decide what the next steps should be during the pandemic) and the objective of the Government is to end rough sleeping by the end of 2024.

“There are some habitual rough sleepers and to change their habits will be a challenge.

“We only hope some people having been accommodated in hotels will see there’s another way and take up that challenge, but it needs funding.

“The money for the hotels is funded by the Government during lockdown.”

Money has been a concern for the Conservative-run council over the past decade after its government funding was slashed, while the current crisis is likely to put a further strain on its budget.

And Cllr Allen said the next steps after the pandemic eases could depend on what financial support is offered from Whitehall to local authorities, with the option of continuing to use hotel accommodation not ruled out.

“I think it will all be part of the review,” the cabinet member stated. “Hotels will want to resume their normal business, and whether having rough sleepers accommodated in there as part of their future business model - that will all be part of negotiations that will take place.

“I will rule nothing out.

“I think it’s fair to say (changes may be made in Peterborough in the future). We’ve done a sterling job accommodating rough sleepers following the government demand and we should be proud of the officers at Peterborough City Council.

“Looking forward as a nation we will be finding ourselves in a difficult place after coming out of lockdown. A lot of people have experienced accommodation we have provided and we hope some of those that have experienced that kind of lifestyle will want to go on the pathway.”

Cllr Allen was also full of praise for the council’s charity partners who have made a huge effort to support rough sleepers both before and during the crisis, while he acknowledged that rising unemployment due to an economic downturn could see more people ending up on the streets.

He also admitted that there have been some difficulties after police were called more than a dozen times to the Holiday Inn Express in the Ortons following complaints which included “low level anti-social behaviour”.

Cllr Allen added: “I can’t deny we’ve had some challenges - some people we have accommodated initially have returned to the streets.

“There have to be rules and regulations and you have to behave in hotels and adhere to the rules on drugs and alcohol use.

“If accommodated in a hotel you can’t create bedlam. We have security in place and outreach workers in constant contact with people we are accommodating.

“One hopes most people we have located understand it’s in their best interests for them to remain in accommodation provided by the city council at this time.”

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