Support for homeless people continues in Arun as lockdown is eased

At the peak of the pandemic, the council offered 61 households accommodation to enable them to stay safe.

It achieved this by working closely with voluntary and sector agencies, as well as local businesses including Butlins in Bognor Regis – read more here.

Jeremy Pardey, resort director of Butlins, Bognor Regis, said: “We were happy to be able to step in and provide the accommodation needed to ensure that rough sleepers in the Arun District were offered a roof over their heads during lock down.

“This has been a really positive experience and those that stayed with us have expressed their gratitude and have been respectful of our facilities.”

Councillor Pauline Gregory, cabinet member for residential services, praised the housing options team for working ‘incredibly hard’, adding: “I am pleased to say that as part of the next phase we are working with individuals to find more settled accommodation for their future.”

During the lockdown, 21 clients were moved to more permanent accommodation, the council confirmed.

Of the remaining 40, the council has provided more settled housing for 50 per cent and said the other half had chosen not to engage with the services offered.

For those that have returned to their previous circumstances, the council is working with partners and our out-reach teams to offer support where needed, a spokesman said.