We are here for rough sleepers this winter

The long-standing promise is being repeated to vulnerable people living in the city as the winter nights get colder.

The 'always a bed' promise is being delivered by the council alongside local charities, health services and housing associations.

Although there are considerable challenges ahead, the Council has pledged to continue the effort put in to support rough sleepers over the last few years since the pandemic.

The promise is on top of the council's £650,000 'Here for you this winter' campaign which is designed to support struggling families and individuals during the winter and over Christmas.

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said: "Our pledge is that there is a bed for anyone who needs one. Alongside our partners, we are getting the message out to rough sleepers that no matter how vulnerable they may feel, there is a bed available for them.

"Thanks to support from the Welsh Government and strong partnership working between local charities, health, housing associations and private sector providers, anyone found sleeping rough has been and will continue to be offered accommodation and the necessary support to maintain their accommodation

As part of the Council's Housing Support Programme Strategy, tackling rough sleeping has been identified as a priority, and since the introduction of the Strategy the Council has increased the number of units of both temporary and permanent accommodation in the City, which has helped to reduce the need to sleep rough.

The Council has continued to develop its rapid rehousing approach through the expansion of the Ty Tom Jones temporary supported housing service, as well as looking to develop more temporary supported housing in the City Centre during 2025.

Cllr Lewis said: "The award-winning Ty Tom Jones has been a real success story in supporting rough sleepers and single homeless people.

"It is part of a rapid rehousing programme that will help encourage hard-to-reach rough sleepers and single homeless people get the support they need by increasing the health, social, psychological and other wellbeing services on offer there."

If you see a person sleeping rough you think needs support, you can help them by getting in touch with the Streetlink organisation online or via the app at www.streetlink.org.uk  - their team will pass the information on to the council and its partners to take action.

You can also find put more about Swansea Council's support for the homeless here: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/13730/Help-for-people-who-are-homelesshomeless