'I sleep on the promenade - there's nowhere to go'

A man sleeping rough in a seaside resort said there was "nowhere" for him to go because "everywhere is full".

Steven moved to Blackpool from Stoke-on-Trent 20 years ago after splitting up with his wife because that was where he remembered "happier times" as a child.

The 55-year-old said he had been sleeping on the promenade "for about a year" but was trying desperately to find somewhere to go.

Blackpool Council said it was "extremely active in engaging with rough sleepers and homeless people" and a lot of its work is directed at "stopping people from being homeless in the first place".

Steven said he tried housing agencies "every day" to find accommodation but "there is nothing available".

He added: "It is very cold especially at this time of year" and that it was "a bad situation" but he was determined to remain strong.

It comes after the MP for Blackpool South, Chris Webb called for more resources to tackle the spike in homelessness in the resort earlier this week.

Speaking in the Commons, the Labour MP said the local council and other organisations were already working at full capacity.

"Over the last two years we have witnessed the staggering 50% increase in homelessness in Blackpool, underlining the urgent need for support in our communities.

"Blackpool's homelessness partnership working together with the local council, the third sector and local charities have been doing some outstanding work to prevent homelessness but we need more support."

Minister for Homelessness and Democracy Rushanara Ali MP said the government was committed to tackling homelessness with £500m of funding to support local authorities.

Councillor Jo Farrell, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for communities and wellbeing said the number of rough sleepers in Blackpool was "relatively low compared with the national picture" because of its work at "stopping people from being homeless in the first place".

She said its housing outreach team or partners go into town nearly every day and were "extremely active in engaging with rough sleepers and homeless people" and identifying people who may need support and assistance.

"This may involve finding suitable accommodation which in most cases we are able to find," she said.

The councillor added members of the public who have identified a rough sleeper can call the council on 01253 477765 or email [email protected] and housing options can provide housing advice and help prevent homelessness can be reached on 01253 477600.

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