Homeless people in West Norfolk have been relocated to accommodation where they have their own room and are able to follow social distancing guidance.
This follows the government asking all local authorities to find suitable accommodation for homeless people in shelters and hostels to enable them to self isolate properly through the current Coronavirus crisis.
All those identified have now been relocated to accommodation and they are also being provided with welfare support, three meals a day, toiletries and clothing bundles.
This would not have been achieved without the support of partners in West Norfolk providing assistance.
Cllr Adrian Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “I would like to thank all of those involved for their efforts in ensuring the safety and protection of the homeless in our area. While we know this is a time of concern for many, our top priority needs to be the most vulnerable in our community. This has been a mammoth task in such a short timeframe and I’m pleased to see that yet again the council has pulled together with community partners including the Purfleet Trust Day Centre, the Winter Night Shelter and Alive West Norfolk to ensure some of our most vulnerable members of the community are protected.”
The Purfleet Trust have worked with the council and Alive West Norfolk to ensure the safe accommodation of 26 people.
Paula Hall, Chief Executive of the Purfleet Trust said: “We are continuing to provide wrap-around support to ensure people feel safe and supported during this time as well as complying with social distancing. Whist facing a number of challenges during this period Purfleet staff Kathy Adams and Charlotte Stringer are coordinating continued support from the Trust. Our staff are providing continuity with familiar faces, 3 meals a day, welfare support and ongoing practical support”.
Neil Gromett, Managing Director of Alive West Norfolk said: “We were happy to redeploy Alive staff and support these other partnerships groups to ensure a smooth transition for the homeless in West Norfolk”.
The Winter Night Shelter and the Purfleet Trust Day Centre are now closed. Anyone homeless needing assistance should contact the council on 01553 616200 (option 4 then option 1) during office hours or 01553 616601 outside office hours. Under no circumstances should anyone needing accommodation be presenting directly to emergency accommodation without being instructed to by the council.
If you are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, please let the council know as soon as possible.
