Homelessness and rough sleeping

It was World Homeless Day this week, and we want to thank local organisations and especially their volunteers for all that they do in helping tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Bedford Borough.

Last week Mayor Dave Hodgson visited one of those organisations on SMART Prebend Day Centre's open day. You can donate food, clothes and other items to help them support homeless and vulnerable local people, and Lisa from SMART told Dave the items they are looking for at the moment in a video on Dave's Facebook page.

Rough sleeping has risen sharply across the country over recent years, which is truly scandalous. At the Council we are expanding our range of services and support for rough sleepers in advance of this winter, including more accommodation, more emergency beds and additional support and outreach workers. We've also recently opened the new accommodation and support facility for rough sleepers with the most complex needs, Clarence House in Bedford.

You can find a guide to local homeless services at bedfordhomeless.org.uk, and if you find someone who is sleeping rough please contact streetlink.org.uk.

We should never see people sleeping on the streets in Bedford Borough as something that is acceptable. Local charities and their dedicated volunteers certainly aren't accepting it, and they have my continued thanks for all they do.