Rise in number of rough sleepers in Mansfield

Data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveals 22 people was estimated to be sleeping on the streets in Mansfield during a spot check on one night last autumn.

That's up from 17 recorded in 2018.

The figures for Ashfield remain unchanged with five people officially sleeping rough on the streets there.

In Mansfield, 16 of the rough sleepers recorded last autumn were male and five were female.

Of those who had their age recorded, the majority were 26 or over, but two of them were aged 25 and under.

In Ashfield, four of the rough sleepers recorded were male and one female and all were aged 26 or over.

Jill Finnesey, head of housing at Mansfield Council, said: “The council's view is that one person sleeping rough is one too many.

“We have a wide range of initiatives to reduce homelessness and prevent it happening in the first place.

“Our street outreach team repeatedly offers all available help to everyone found to be rough sleeping so they have the opportunity to receive the support they need to move into suitable accommodation.

“Over the past year, the council has worked with Framework to help 14 rough sleepers access appropriate support and accommodation.

“We would urge anyone at risk of homelessness to contact the council as early as possible so our dedicated officers can provide advice and guidance.”