Call for public to help rough sleepers in Dudley and Sandwell over Christmas

Sandwell and Dudley have put in place special measures during the festive season as overnight temperatures threaten to fall below freezing.

The authorities are asking anyone who fears or knows of someone who will be without a home to contact them so emergency accommodation can be provided.

Alan Caddick, Sandwell’s director for housing and communities, asking for the public’s help said: “No-one should have to sleep rough at any time of the year but when the cold weather sets in it is of added concern.

“In Sandwell we have adopted a range of services that will operate throughout the winter period including the Christmas and New Year period to help and support anyone found sleeping rough.

“In particular, these include our outreach service where we have dedicated officers who engage with rough sleepers and who support them off the streets and into sustainable housing.

Organisation, the Midland Langar Seva Society, is providing food and meals in West Bromwich.

The charity was established October 2013 in Walsall to support those living on the street, schools, safe houses and those on the poverty line.

It will serve food and hot drinks from 5.30pm until approximately 6.15pm on Wednesdays adjacent to the YMCA, in Carter's Green, West Bromwich.

Alan Lunt, deputy chief executive at Dudley, echoed the call for people to contact council’s housing teams, saying: “As an authority we are committed to helping anyone who may be rough sleeping on our streets or at risk of becoming homeless.

“In any case where someone is reported to us as sleeping rough, our homelessness team will respond and has measures in place, including emergency shelter, every night of the year, to make sure no one has to sleep out.

“As ever, we would urge people to report anyone they think may be sleeping rough so that officers can locate them, offer immediate shelter and provide support and advice to help them to resolve their housing issues.”

Sandwell Council’s Housing Solutions Team can be contacted on 0121 368 1166 or on 0121 569 6883 outside of office hours

For help and assistance in Dudley, call the council’s dedicated telephone number on 0300 555 0030.