HOMELESSNESS has reached extreme levels in Southend, a government report has revealed.

Following a number of Echo reports highlighting the growing need for support for rough sleepers in Southend, the government’s Rough Sleeping Statistics for Autumn 2017, released last week, has shown the town is the eighth most effected area in the UK.

The statistics, based on an annual “single night snapshot of rough sleeping” revealed there were 72 rough sleepers on the streets in Southend.

The figure is a 44-person increase on the government’s 2016 report.

In 2010, when figures were first recorded, there were only eight rough sleepers counted in the town.

Of the 72 people counted, 12 of them were female and 60 male.

A total of 64 rough sleepers in Southend were from the UK, with five from the EU and three from outside Europe.

Nine of Southend’s rough sleepers in last year’s count were aged between 18 and 25.

Following the report’s release, Harp’s chief executive, Gill Garwood expressed sadness for the rough sleepers who they have worked very hard throughout the last few years to help, giving food, warm clothes and short term accommodation for 174 people.

She said “It’s a tragedy to see so many people having to resort to sleeping on the street.

“We will continue to campaign to end rough sleeping and do all we can to help people avoid homelessness altogether.

“No one should have to sleep on the streets in this day and age but unfortunately more and more people are at risk of losing their tenancies and more support is needed to help the most vulnerable people within our community.”

Homelessness has been growing in Southend, with Mrs Garwood revealing in November 2017 that rough sleepers have been given one-way train tickets to Southend from London boroughs.

A Homeless Reduction Bill will be in place by April this year, ans the government claims it is ready to spend more than £550million to tackle the issue.

Mark Flewitt, councillor for housing, planning and sustainability added that Southend Council are playing their part in trying to stop rough sleeping as early as possible through its Housing Solution Team, offering 110 temporary accommodation spaces and aid for people to get into assisted housing.

He said: “Homelessness is undoubtedly now a national crisis, and this can be seen with increases being reported across the country.

“Locally, we are absolutely committed to continuing our ongoing work to address rough sleeping across the borough.

“These are not just words, but demonstrated by the actions we already take and will continue to take in the future, which go well beyond the statutory service we have to provide.”

In Basildon, last year’s count found 24 rough sleepers, up from 17 the year before and just nine in 2010.

Rochford district had 11 rough sleepers counted on the night in question last year, when there were none the year before and none in 2010.

Castle Point had no rough sleepers counted last year.

If someone you know is homeless or at risk, you can register them to: www.streetlink.org.uk