Cardiff Council Collaborates with Churches to Provide Emergency Shelter for the Homeless During Winter
In a bid to protect homeless individuals from the harsh winter weather, Cardiff Council is working in partnership with churches to offer emergency shelter. With a pressing need to accommodate dozens of homeless individuals during the colder months, the local authority has already made 227 emergency bed spaces available across three different sites as part of its winter plan. Additional sites, including churches, are being considered to provide shelter from December onwards.
Last year, Cardiff Council repurposed a former Toys R Us building in Garngetown to create 100 emergency bed spaces. This year, the council has expanded its efforts, recognising the ongoing challenge of accommodating individuals leaving Home Office facilities and prison leavers who may present as homeless. The number of rough sleepers in Cardiff currently stands at 44, with approximately half of them lacking a local connection to the city or having no access to public funds.
Matthew Evans, operational manager for supported accommodation at Cardiff Council, emphasised the importance of ensuring that individuals have access to accommodation during severe weather conditions to prevent loss of life. The council is working closely with churches to establish a plan to provide shelter seven days a week. This collaborative effort aims to cater to individuals without local connections or access to public funds who may not currently be accommodated in existing provisions.
The rise in the number of prison leavers seeking housing support has put additional strain on Cardiff Council’s homelessness services. Factors such as expedited decision-making on asylum applications and government initiatives like the End of Custody Supervised Licence scheme have contributed to the increased demand for accommodation and support services.
The council’s strategy for selecting sites for its winter sheltering plan involves thorough considerations regarding available facilities, health and safety standards, staffing capabilities, and proximity to essential services. This year’s plan aims to not only provide shelter but also to strategically disperse accommodation options to mitigate concentration in specific areas.
Past criticisms of living conditions in temporary accommodations underscore the importance of ensuring that shelters meet basic standards of cleanliness and safety. Following feedback from previous initiatives, the council has made efforts to improve living conditions in emergency shelters to ensure the well-being of those seeking refuge.
By leveraging partnerships with churches and other community organisations, Cardiff Council aims to provide a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to addressing homelessness during the winter months. As the city prepares for colder weather, the collaborative efforts between local authorities and churches demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and providing them with essential support and shelter.