Homelessness Provision over the Christmas Holidays

Published: 23 December 2019

Derby Homes is responsible for coordinating the city’s response to homelessness and for delivering the Council’s Statutory Homelessness Services. Our priorities are to prevent individuals from becoming homeless and to provide relief for those who are already homeless or sleeping rough.

How do we record the number of rough sleepers?

The official definition of a rough sleeper comes from guidelines from the Ministry of Communities and Local Government. All local authorities assess rough sleeping on a single night between October and November, and submit the findings to the government. In addition to this, we conduct a monthly count.

Counts are coordinated with other local authorities so that people are not counted twice. Our team are out on the street most nights, and know most of Derby’s rough sleepers and where they typically bed down.

The last street estimate in Derby, in November 2018, identified 26 rough sleeping individuals, a reduction from 37 in 2017.

Christmas arrangements and winter provision

Throughout out the year, there are a wide range of services and hostels in the city working to support homeless people and rough sleepers.

From Wednesday 1st December until the end of March, the city’s partners put a specific plan in place to address rough sleeping during periods of cold weather, called the Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP). This involves the Churches Nightshelter, hostels and the Rehousing Engagement and Support Team (REST) team.

Shelters, hostels and outreach

Derby Churches Night Shelters
Derby City Mission runs the Derby Churches Nightshelter to meet the urgent need for overnight accommodation. This consists of seven church venues across the centre of the city offering a set number of bed spaces  from 8.00pm till 8.00am, 7 days a week.

Milestone House, 93 Green Lane, Derby DE1 1RX, 01332 642151.
Milestone House provides emergency accommodation for single adults and couples without children. Normal service continues for Milestone throughout the Christmas  period, with the staff serving residents special buffets on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. There will also be an open kitchen and other activities for residents taking place in the festive period.

Padley Day Centre, 3 Becket Street, Derby DE1 1HT, 01332 331280.
Provision of the Padley Homeless Centre continues 365 days a year. They are providing special buffets and dinners on key dates over the Christmas break.

Outreach

Thanks to additional government funding secured by Derby Homes and Derby City Council, our dedicated outreach service also operates throughout this period with workers trying to engage with rough sleepers with offers of accommodation and support.

Christmas Opening Hours

During the Christmas break, we run a limited emergency service from The Council House on Friday 27th, Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st December. For urgent housing advice, people can visit the Council House on these days or call 01332 640085 between 9.00am and 5.00pm. We return to full service as normal on Thursday 2nd January . Outside of these days and times, they can call Careline on 01332 786968 or visit our webpage.

Our outreach team (REST) will also be working in and around Derby on Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th, Thursday 27th, Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st December, providing support to anyone found to be rough sleeping and arranging emergency accommodation.

How to help someone

If you see someone you think may be rough sleeping or is in immediate risk of becoming homeless, there are a number of ways you can help.

During the day you should encourage them to go to the Council House  or call 01332 640085 and ask for the Housing Options Team.

During evenings over winter (December-March) you can also advise them to use the Derby Churches Nightshelter, Milestone House or the Padley Day Centre. Anyone finding themselves homeless can self-refer, but call ahead to check they have room.

If you are unable to find somewhere or you are worried about someone, you can call Street Link on 0300 500 0914. Street Link is a national service that enables members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.

Community, Housing, Public safety