An innovative approach to working together to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness in Basingstoke and Deane has seen the number of people sleeping on the streets fall during the year.

Each year the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government asks every local authority to record the number of people sleeping rough in their area in November.

In Basingstoke and Deane, the number of people sleeping on the streets has fallen from 26 in 2016, when numbers were at its highest, and was recorded as two on the night of the count in November 2024.

This year’s figure was submitted by members of the Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership, which is a coalition of statutory services, commissioned housing providers, voluntary and faith-based groups and those with lived experience of rough sleeping. The partnership was set up with a shared ambition to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness across the borough.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “Nobody should have to sleep rough in our borough and the Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership remains dedicated to working tirelessly to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness and the hidden causes that lead people to sleep on the streets.

“At such a difficult time for some in our borough, it is fantastic that we have seen the number of people sleeping rough on our streets fall. It is also a real reflection of all the hard work that goes into the life-changing services that the partnership continues to deliver for the most vulnerable members of our community.

“But we do not take this for granted and remain very aware that this is a snapshot of in time. Due to the complex issues that lead people to becoming homeless, the number of people who may be rough sleeping can change all the time. That is why, as a partnership, we are committed to continuing our individual-led approach which sees us working closely with anyone found rough sleeping to address their specific and often complex needs and support them to start a new life away from the streets.”

Anyone found sleeping on the streets across the borough will be given a warm welcome at a pop-up night shelter providing vital support during the cold winter months.

Run by a network of churches across Basingstoke and an army of volunteers, the pop-up Night Light Winter Shelter will operate from Sunday 1 December to Friday 28 February 2025 every night at different churches around the town.

The shelter will provide support and friendly company, access to support services to help secure longer-term accommodation, nutritious meals and a warm place for anyone rough sleeping. Guests will be referred via the council’s outreach provider Julian House, the Camrose Centre or directly by the council’s housing team. More information about the shelter can be found at www.basingstoke-nlws.org

Residents and visitors who spot someone sleeping rough in the borough are asked to report this to ensure the individual gets the help and support they need at https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

For more information on the work of the Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership to tackle homelessness in the borough visit www.realchangebasingstoke.org.uk or follow @realchangebas on Facebook or X.