Number of rough sleepers in Eastbourne revealed

According to a snapshot survey, the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough in the town on a single night is 16.

That is up from six in 2018 and 41 the previous year.

The report – released this morning (Thursday) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – estimates the number of people sleeping rough on a single night between October 1 and November 31 2019.

A government spokesperson said, “The snapshot takes place in the autumn, rather than summer where numbers are likely to be higher due to warmer temperatures, or winter, where numbers may be lower as there are more temporary night shelters set up to ensure people do not sleep rough on the streets in very cold weather.

“It is collated by outreach workers, local charities and community groups and independently verified by Homeless Link.

“People sleeping rough are defined as those sleeping or about to bed down in open air locations and other places including tents and make-shift shelters. The snapshot does not include people in hostels or shelters, sofa surfers or those in recreational or organised protest, squatter or traveller campsites.

“The snapshot does not provide a definitive number of people affected by homelessness in England. The term ‘homelessness’ is much broader than people sleeping rough. The snapshot records only those people seen, or thought to be, sleeping rough on a single night.

“The snapshot does not include everyone in a local authority with a history of sleeping rough, or everyone sleeping rough in local authorities across the October to November period.

“Accurately estimating the number of people sleeping rough within a local authority is inherently difficult given the hidden nature of rough sleeping.”