On-site support service for homeless set to be created

A new dedicated temporary housing facility for homeless people in Liverpool is set to be created as part of a wider drive to tackle the issue.

The Cabinet is being asked to award an initial two-year contract for an on-site support service for up to 49 single households requiring low to medium levels of support. It is estimated it could save up to £1.8 million of hotel accommodation costs per year.

Professional support services will be on hand to assist those who need help and support with health and employment so that they are in the best possible position to move on and take up offers of permanent housing.

It is in addition to the comprehensive support already provided in Liverpool for homeless people, including:

• Outreach services provided by the Whitechapel Centre
• A winter night assessment hub
• A Severe Weather Protocol (SWEP) to get people inside when it is cold

The contract is part of a wider plan to reduce homelessness and tackle the temporary accommodation bill in the city, including making £7.3 million of grants available to private sector landlords to encourage them to bring 365 properties back into use. It is estimated it will save £13.3 million in reduced temporary accommodation costs.

The council has invested an additional £1.9 million to transform the Housing Solutions Service and there are plans in motion to create a Housing Solutions hub to manage the volumes of homeless applications and increase early intervention and prevention, with specialist roles created to support the likes of young people, domestic abuse survivors, rough sleeper and refugees.

The government has increased the city’s rough sleeping prevent and recovery grant from £1.7 million to £3.1 million.

Other work being under taken includes:

• Additional rooms in existing temporary accommodation
• Flexible winter funding for spot solutions and additional staffing
• An additional accommodation service for those with more complex needs
• Additional short-term dispersed accommodation
• Funding for a private sector rent deposit/rent in advance scheme for an estimated 80 people
• Night Assessment Hub and Housing Solutions Service staff working with the Whitechapel Centre

FACTFILE – ROUGH SLEEPING IN LIVERPOOL

• 2,000 – calls to the ‘Always Help Available’ 24 hour rough sleeper helpline in December 2025
• 158 – different people rough sleeping in December 2025, with 112 (71%) supported into new or existing accommodation
• 56 – people accessing the Night Assessment Hub in December, with 32 moved into accommodation
• 13% – reduction in rough sleeping from December 2024 – December 2025

REPORT A ROUGH SLEEPER

If you see a rough sleeper, please report it by calling 0300 123 2041 or make an online referral at https://liverpool.gov.uk/alwayshelpavailable

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Hetty Wood, said: “Having a roof over your head is a basic human right but sadly in Liverpool – as with the rest of the country – we have seen many more people presenting as homeless in the last couple of years due to the cost of living crisis.

“The accommodation will enable us to deliver a wraparound service for homeless people to help support them in addressing issues or challenges they may have, and assist them into appropriate permanent accommodation.

“It’s part of our wider homelessness action plan which aims to reduce our reliance on hotels and B&Bs and bring empty homes back into use for people who are on the housing waiting list.”