Incidents of rough sleeping have rocketed from under ten to triple digits since 2023 in Gateshead, council figures show. The number of people who had slept rough in Gateshead has climbed from just eight recorded cases in 2022/23 to the latest figure of 141. The council’s annual performance report notes the increase as “higher than expected”, though is part of a wider regional and national trend.
The Gateshead figures are as follows:
- Year end 2022/23: 8
- Year end 2023/24: 17
- Latest: 141
At this week’s corporate overview and scrutiny committee, Gateshead Council Lib Dem opposition leader, Coun Ron Beadle, said: “The one area that really jumps out as a change in performance is rough sleeping where we have gone from 17 at year end 2023/24 to 141 now. I think that deserves a little bit of explanation. Are we counting things differently, what is going on here?”
Council officers responded, saying the local authority’s supported accommodation is still in the process of being recommissioned with some schemes opening later in the year. In addition, emergency beds are also not yet “fully operational” and therefore have not been given a chance to affect the rough sleeping figures.
Facilities for people living with multiple and complex needs are also not yet fully open, due to delays in third party providers finding properties. However, the council’s report does state that by 2025/26, more support should be available for those at risk of rough sleeping, including 20 room spaces.
Along with councils throughout the UK, Gateshead has seen a dramatic increase in its spending on temporary accommodation for those at risk of homelessness. Gateshead saw a jump from £156,871 on emergency short-term housing in 2021/22 to £1.3m in 2023/24.
Council research found that domestic abuse remains the leading cause of homelessness. A council report from January this year found 313 people were rendered homeless as a result of domestic abuse, followed by 246 cases of families no longer willing or able to accommodate individuals.
