§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how those conducting the count, for the latest rough sleeping head count conducted by the RSU, chose the areas of the various cities in which their counts would take place; and if he will publish the guidance issued as to how the count areas were to be chosen. [40053]
§ Mr. ByersRough sleeping head counts are conducted by local authorities and voluntary sector agencies and the results are submitted to the DTLR.
The method used to conduct counts, including deciding which areas should be covered is clearly set out in our guidance, which was first published in 1996. This states that a working group of key local agencies should be formed and that this working group in consultation with other local agencies should:
Agree on the boundaries of the area and identify segments of the area where people sleeping rough are likely to be found.This is the guidance that was used for the latest rough sleeping head count.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how it was determined whether someone on the streets during the latest rough sleeping headcount conducted by the Rough Sleepers Unit was a rough sleeper; and if he will publish the guidelines issued to those conducting the count, relating to whom should be included in the count. [40052]
§ Mr. ByersRough sleeping headcounts are conducted by local authorities and voluntary sector agencies and the results are submitted to the DTLR.
The definition of people who should be included in rough sleeper counts is clearly set out in Government guidance, which was first published in 1996. It is:
people sleeping, or bedded down, in the open air (such as on the streets, or in doorways, parks or bus shelters); people in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations or 'bashes')".This is the guidance that is still used today.