ROUGH sleepers have been turned away from Swindon’s new homeless scheme.

The council boss responsible for the £25k project said they were unable to accept the individuals straight off the street.

Unlike a hostel, the new scheme can only take those who had been referred through the council or homeless charities.

The project, which began last week, will see between 12 and 18 rough sleepers spend the next three months staying at the former NHS medical centre on Carfax Street.

As well as a bed, shower and food, the individuals will get life skills training and help with addiction problems and benefits.

At the end of the 12 week project, it is hoped that borough officers will be able to offer them council accommodation.

The project is aimed at some of Swindon’s hardest to reach homeless. It is estimated that there could be as many as 40 persistent rough sleepers in the town.

Numbers have risen sharply in recent years - with council housing chief Mike Ash putting the problem down to a “combination of things”, including a poor economy and welfare reforms.

So far, three men and one woman have arrived at their new home.

More are expected over the coming week, with the converted health centre eventually housing up to 18.

All of them will have been referred to the scheme by council housing officers and charities working with the homeless, including Threshold Housing Link.

Mike Ash said that on Sunday night, several people had knocked on the door asking for a bed - while police officers had brought another man in the belief that he could bed down at the centre.

The borough’s head of housing said: “This is not a hostel where people can knock on the door. You’ve got to be signed up and ready to take this on and stick with us as a community for 12 weeks.”

The trial scheme, which is being looked at with interest by other councils, is costing the borough £25,000.

The cost will be met through a car park charge hike, Mike Ash said.

The council’s governing cabinet voted through the changes last month.

They plan to increase the price of short-stay parking at town centre multi-storey car parks by £1 for some tarrifs - and 10p per hour at other car parks.

The £160,000 windfall will finance a suite of car park improvements, including more cleaners and efforts to tackle rough sleepers using the car parks.

Councillor Oliver Donachie, who presented the plans, said: “People want to feel safe and to know the homeless are getting help.”

Interested in volunteering at the homeless project? Email Rachel Holley on RHolley@swindon.gov.uk.