Homeless charity in Lincolnshire fears the winter may see more rough sleepers in the county

Figures are already rising in the region

Homeless person
Author: Andy MarshPublished 13th Sep 2024

Homeless charities across Lincolnshire are bracing themselves for what they believe may be an increase in the numbers of people sleeping rough this winter

Figures for homelessness in the county are thought to be on the rise.

Now support organisations are putting plans in place for the colder months.

Sandra Blow is the Lincolnshire Operations Manager for the Framework Housing Association.

She told us: "There's a lot of hidden homelessness in these small towns."

What can happen is you get onto the streets and it's harder to get off

"In these rural towns - people are sleeping on people's sofas."

"I'm not particularly surprised because it's just across the board so if it's going to rise in the cities it's going to rise elsewhere."

"The last thing people want to do is spend time on the streets."

"One night is too long - what can happen is you get onto the streets and it's harder to get off."

"Don't put your head in the sand - seek help".

We've got to start thinking about it - it's already September

"Most areas have had to put on a severe weather emergency provision if the weather's going to drop before a certain level."

"We do help out providing a warm space but with this amount of numbers we're not going to be able to do it on our own."

"We've got to start thinking about it - it's already September."

"We're in that train of thought all the time."

"We've seen a lot more rain - that's severe weather as well."

"So we're always thinking about it."

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