Increase in rough sleepers across Oxford after 'winter beds' close

The count, conducted as part of the council’s funding agreement with the Government’s Rough Sleeper Initiative showed last month 48 people sleeping rough in Oxford on one night.

This was a 30 per cent increase from the 37 people counted in March.

The council believes the main reason behind the increase is the closure of 34 temporary winter beds.

Churches Together in Oxford offers 20 beds in the Oxford Winter Night Shelter, which opens at New Year and closes at the end of March. The remaining 14 beds were in two RSI-funded winter shelters that also closed at the same time.

The majority of people counted experiencing rough sleeping were male UK nationals aged between 36 and 49 sleeping in the city centre.

Linda Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and housing, said: “Thirty four temporary winter beds for people experiencing homelessness closed at the end of March, and in May we have more people sleeping on our streets. This should come as no surprise.

“In the last year we’ve won nearly £2m in additional government funding to prevent and reduce rough sleeping, as we believe that nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford.

"We’re doing more than ever before to tackle the rough sleeping crisis, including the development of a new assessment centre and emergency shelter in Floyds Row that will open this winter.

"The extra funding is welcome, but it’s only temporary and it’s hard to plan and deliver effective services when we have to apply to limited funding pots year on year.

"What the May street count demonstrates is the need for sustained government funding.”