Milton Keynes City Council has helped 50 people who had been formerly rough sleeping into secure, long-term accommodation backed up with mental health and tenancy sustainment support since opening its new and expanded facility for people sleeping rough earlier this year.
People who have received help have typically secured a home in the private rented sector, reconnected with family members or moved into long-term council housing.
The facility is located on Mullion Place in Fishermead and replaced the former shelter at the Old Bus Station. Close to the city centre, the Fishermead base provides a wider range of support in partnership with local charity Connection Support.
Accommodation is available for both men and women in individual rooms with showers and kitchens, replacing the previous dormitory-style layout. Up to 20 people can stay at any one time, with access to 24-hour help, including drug and alcohol recovery programmes and practical life skills training such as cooking lessons.
Being able to stay throughout the day gives people more time and space to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives, while using the personalised support on offer to develop skills and confidence in living independently.
The Fishermead facility was previously used by the Salvation Army to provide accommodation for former rough sleepers and has now been re-established by the city council to build on its ongoing work to reduce homelessness. Over recent years, the number of people sleeping on the streets in Milton Keynes has fallen significantly, thanks to a wide range of council-led initiatives. Alongside housing support, the city council helps many people access mental health diagnosis and treatment, reconnect with their loved ones and secure financial support to rent homes sustainably.
“We’re really pleased that this new centre in Fishermead is already making a real difference. We’ve been able to help dozens of people take the next step, whether that’s moving into permanent housing, reconnecting with family or accessing the right support for recovery. This is about giving people dignity, stability and the chance to rebuild their lives.”