Figures published today suggest that the number of people sleeping rough in Bristol has fallen by around 80% in just over a year.

Our staff and city partners have, in unprecedentedly difficult circumstances, helped around 1,400 people in Bristol who were either rough sleeping or homeless into emergency and further accommodation. Our wrap-around services and support plans are under regular review, so that everyone has options to leave the streets.

The Council has confirmed that 21 people were recorded as sleeping rough in January 2021. This follows 50 people being recorded as sleeping rough during the city’s annual count in November, compared to 98 a year before. While this progress is much-needed, and a real testament to the hard work of everyone involved, there is still more to do. Homelessness is a complex issue but the simple truth remains that 21 people sleeping rough is 21 too many.

I set out more about how we are working to ensure that nobody is left behind, and everybody has somewhere safe to stay, in an article for the LGA Labour Group.

With more than 1,000 people currently living in emergency accommodation in Bristol, it is crucial that we continue to build on the solid foundations of some 9,000 new homes since 2016. Our thousands-strong pipeline of new council homes in place to continue to build a better Bristol.

If you are concerned about someone who is sleeping rough, you can make a referral via Streetlink.