Drug misuse is on the increase among rough sleepers, but charities say they cannot cope with the problem because of a lack of specialist hostels.
Figures supplied to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by homelessness charities estimate that drug use among rough sleepers has risen by half over the past six years.

The charities put the rise down to cheaper heroin, growing use of crack and the increased availability of drugs.

Jeremy Swain, chief executive of Thames Reach Bondway, said a lack of specialist hostel spaces and suitable move-on accommodation was hampering the charity’s work with street homeless.

“Unless we can create vacancies in key hostels, currently bursting at the seams, vulnerable people will be at great risk over winter,” he said.

He urged the government to make more detox facilities available.

Source

Housing Today