"Official Homeless Figures Must Get Real" - Julia Goldsworthy writes to Minister

1.18.34pm GMT Mon 27th Nov 2006

Local MP, Julia Goldsworthy has welcomed the news that The New Connection charity in Camborne has increased the number of beds available for homeless people in Cornwall from 5 to 9.

Julia Goldsworthy said:

"Having recently visited The New Connection, I saw first hand the high quality facilities and support the charity offers Cornwall's homeless. This increase in the number of beds at the Camborne shelter together with the news that the relocated Day Centre will open in January is a clear sign of their continuing success.

"Such resources help keep people off the street and get them back on track. With fewer people sleeping rough, they also help our town centres feel safer - benefiting the whole community.

"Whilst I was very impressed by the work done by The New Connection, there are still far too few beds available to homeless people in Cornwall. With unofficial estimates putting homelessness as high as 200, much more needs to be done to support people in desperate need of somewhere to stay."

Official estimates of the number of homeless people are widely regarded as being inaccurate. Figures are collected on one night and count people asleep on the streets between midnight and 0600. People who manage to find a bed or are not lying down on the one day a year that the survey takes place are therefore not counted.

Julia Goldsworthy commented:

"A comprehensive survey of the number of people sleeping rough needs to be conducted. With Government statistics suggesting that there are only 11 homeless people in Cornwall - official estimates are clearly flawed. I have today written to the Secretary of States for Communities to highlight this disparity."