A NEW initiative has been launched in Wiltshire to help rough sleepers get off the streets permanently.

Housing officers and different agencies are being told to work together by attending homeless drop-in sessions and two outreach workers have been appointed to encourage people living outdoors to seek help.

James Cawley, Wiltshire Council associate director for housing, said: “We recognise that for some long-term rough sleepers, a move into accommodation is a process which is about building trust and having conversations that address all of their issues.

“We want to address the barriers which prevent them losing any accommodation they move into.

He added: “Unfortunately, many who secure accommodation subsequently leave or lose it, so solutions are not simply about providing a roof.”

Agencies including health services, charities and probation are involved in the drop-ins and the first was hosted by charity Doorway at Chippenham last week. It is expected to be rolled out across the county.

Jonathon Seed, cabinet member for housing, said: “Over the summer I have been out to visit many of the rough sleepers in Wiltshire to talk to them about what they see as a barrier to getting off the streets and to understand how we can help them to live in a home in Wiltshire.

“I visited the drop-in centres to talk to people who have known and helped to care for tough sleepers for many years,” he said.

“Many of the rough sleepers I talked to told me they find it very difficult to get help due to the number of agencies located in different locations across Wiltshire. So we have coordinated multi agency droop in sessions in places where these vulnerable people with complex needs will attend.”

Wiltshire Council is also backing the No Second Night Out government scheme and has a policy of helping rough sleepers to settled in areas where they have connections so they can use services and housing opportunities.

The number of rough sleepers across England is increasing and Wiltshire has been no exception.

A lack of suitable housing, welfare reform and other social issues have all had a part to play and it is recognised that many rough sleepers have high levels of complex needs like mental health problems, drug and alcohol dependencies. Institutional experiences are common factors.