New government statistics reveal that Norwich is bucking the trend as rough sleeping numbers have decreased for the third consecutive year.
The latest figures from Autumn 2023 indicate that there were just five rough sleepers* reported in the city, showcasing a notable improvement in addressing homelessness.
The local and national trends are shown in the tables below. (Source ‘Official Statistics for Rough Sleeping in England’).
| Year | National | Norwich |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4266 | 18 |
| 2020 | 2688 | 21 |
| 2021 | 2443 | 10 |
| 2022 | 3069 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3898 | 5 |
As you can see from these tables this positive development in Norwich stands in stark contrast to the national scenario, where official data indicates a consecutive rise in the number of individuals spending nights on the streets or in tents.
In light of these encouraging statistics, Councillor Beth Jones, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, expressed her optimism. She emphasised, "The continual reduction in rough sleepers in Norwich over three consecutive years is truly commendable. This achievement underscores the relentless efforts, unwavering dedication, and collaborative approach of various stakeholders, including local authorities, housing and health agencies, the voluntary sector, and the faith-based community."
In 2023, as part of the Greater Norwich Homelessness Strategy, Norwich City Council launched its Rough Sleeping Strategy, outlining priorities for the next five years. These priorities encompass the prevention of rough sleeping by delving deeper into the underlying issues, intervention strategies for those already sleeping rough, facilitating the recovery of rough sleepers, and streamlining the system for enhanced efficiency.
Despite the challenges, Norwich boasts nearly 600 beds in supported accommodation, catering to residents experiencing homelessness, including those who have previously slept rough. However, the city's approach extends beyond mere housing, placing a strong emphasis on providing comprehensive support tailored to individual needs, closely linked to accommodation offerings.
A spokesperson for Norwich homelessness team said: “There's never a good time to be sleeping outside and each person sleeping rough has their own unique set of circumstances that has led them to do so.
Some people are unable to access existing options such as the city’s hostel provision, or do not feel ready to. We therefore provide additional support six nights a week between November and March through a winter shelter. The shelter is available regardless of temperature and was available to those in need during the night of the annual count (for those that wished to access it).”
This winter, the shelter was kindly provided by The Cathedral of St John the Baptist and Norwich Central Baptist Church. As well as paid staff, the shelter also runs with help from volunteers from a range of specialist organisations to make sure anyone using it can also access support.
As part of the City Council’s commitment to a ‘Fairer Norwich’ the council adopts a proactive stance with the deployment of a dedicated rough sleeping team, actively coordinating rough sleeping and homeless services across Norwich.
Community Involvement: Report a Rough Sleeper
If you have observed someone sleeping rough in Norwich and wish to provide relevant information, you can do so through Street Link. Your contribution plays a vital role in extending assistance to those in need and ensuring that support reaches them effectively. Together, let's work towards a city where everyone has access to safe and stable housing.
*The annual count-based estimates above are the combined numbers of people seen sleeping rough within local authorities (including Norwich) across England on a ‘typical night’ (A single date chosen by the local authority between 1 October and 30 November each year).
- More articles in the news archive
- Norwich City Council news RSS feed
