Homelessness is increasing in Stoke-on-Trent, with more than 3,000 people approaching the council for help with the issue last year.

A new report says that the problem has worsened both nationally and locally over the last five years, despite 'significant' investment in services.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council received 3,007 homelessness inquiries in 2023/24, up 28 per cent on the previous year, with the figure on track to be even higher this year. Rough sleeping, the most visible form of homelessness, is also increasing in the Potteries, after previously falling to record lows following the 'Everybody In' campaign during the pandemic.

In May, Stoke-on-Trent's rough sleeper outreach service was supporting 44 people, including 30 identified as 'long-term' rough sleepers.

These figures are included in the city council's new report on homelessness and rough sleeping, which sets out the current extent of the problem in Stoke-on-Trent, the reasons for it, and the work being done to tackle it – local authorities are required to carry out a review every five years. The findings will be used as the council draws up a new strategy which will aim to prevent and reduce homelessness from 2025 to 2030.

The figures were included in the council's new report on homelessness and rough sleeping (Nub News).

One of the key messages stresses the importance of supported housing as a route out of homelessness, with many people needing help with problems such as addiction and mental health issues. But the report says there is a lack of suitable 'move-on' accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent, meaning many people end up stuck in supported housing they no longer need.

A local audit carried out in spring found that there were 211 people ready to move out of supported housing, but only 26 of these had a suitable property lined up – with those who have to wait facing the risk of relapse.

But the report also says that Stoke-on-Trent is recognised as having an 'extremely strong' multi-agency approach to tackling homelessness, which the new strategy will look to build on.

Other findings in the report include:

• Most people needing homeless assistance in Stoke-on-Trent are in the 25 to 44 age group.
• The prevalence of female rough sleepers in Stoke-on-Trent has doubled in the last five years, with women now making up nearly a third of the rough sleeper caseload.
• Around 88 per cent of people needing homeless assistance are British citizens, but there is an increasing number of refugees with limited or indefinite leave to remain.
• The most common reasons for homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent are the loss of private rented accommodation or family or friends no longer willing to accommodate – although the report points out that these factors do not tell the full story, as they only indicate what happened immediately before homelessness.
• There was a 'substantial' increase in the number of people being evicted from support housing in 2023/24.

Members of the public are now being asked to have their say on homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent, with their responses being considered as the new strategy is drawn up.

Cllr Chris Robinson said the council had made some 'really positive progress' (Image supplied).

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: "We have made some really positive progress, so much so that we are actually the best performing local authority in the West Midlands for preventing and relieving homelessness, for the fifth year in a row. Despite all of our hard work, and the support from our partners, homelessness and rough sleeping have increased in the city over the years, in line with the national picture.

"Through this review we want to develop new and innovative approaches to preventing and relieving homelessness in the city, especially focusing on residents who are at risk of experiencing the most harmful outcomes. So, whether you have personal experience, know someone who has or are just interested in helping us to improve things, we would like to hear from you."

Measures carried out over the lifetime of the previous strategy include the launch of a new homelessness hub in Hanley, the creation of 74 new bed spaces for rough sleepers around the city and the launch of the Changing Futures programme for people with complex needs.

People can submit their views on homelessness and rough sleeping in Stoke-on-Trent by visiting www.stoke.gov.uk/homelessreview before Sunday, November 24.

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