Butlins at Bognor "Happy" To Help Accommodate Former Rough Sleepers During Covid-19 Crisis

Monday, 27 July 2020 23:52

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Street Sleeping In Sussex (Photograph: Hunter Smith / Creative Commons)

Arun District Council said it's worked with partners including Butlin's at Bognor to help accommodate formerly homeless people during the Covid-19 lockdown, as the government instructed.

According to the District Council, it will continue to work with its most vulnerable clients and rough sleepers to secure more settled accommodation.

The authority said that, at the peak of the pandemic, it offered 61 households accommodation to enable members to have a home and stay safe, in line with government guidance.

Officials said that their work had been particularly successful through partnerships with other voluntary and sector agencies — and with local businesses including Butlin's in Bognor Regis.

Jeremy Pardey, the local Resort Director, said:

"We were happy to be able to step in and provide the accommodation needed to ensure that rough sleepers in the Arun District were offered a roof over their heads during lock down.

"This has been a really positive experience and those that stayed with us have expressed their gratitude and have been respectful of our facilities.

"We wish them all well in the future."

Cllr Mrs Pauline Gregory, Cabinet Member for Residential Services, added:

"Our housing options team have worked incredibly hard in partnership with the voluntary sector and local businesses.

"This has enabled us to secure accommodation for our most vulnerable clients and rough sleepers during the lock down period caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

"I am pleased to say that as part of the next phase we are working with individuals to find more settled accommodation for their future."

More Radio has asked Arun District Council specific questions about its provision for homeless people in the near future, particularly:

How many individuals currently do not have settled accommodation?
What situations are these people in?
Have any now returned to sleeping rough, and how is Arun District Council determining this number?
What, precisely, is being done to aid those without permanent homes, but who were cared for during the lockdown?

We will update our coverage of this story when answers are received.