Estimates show nearly 100 rough sleepers in Gwent

Gwent has nearly 100 rough sleepers but there are only 36 emergency beds available, Welsh Government estimates show.

Gwent has nearly 100 rough sleepers but there are only 36 emergency beds available, Welsh Government estimates show.

The estimates are based on data collected over a two-week period with assistance from various sectors including volunteers, faith groups, residents and the police.

Across Gwent there are an estimated 96 rough sleepers.

Newport and Caerphilly claim the most with 42, while estimates show that there are none in Blaenau Gwent. Monmouthshire has around five and Torfaen, seven.

However, there are only 36 emergency beds available across Gwent – all in Newport. This is made up of a hostel with 26 spaces and a homeless shelter with 10.

However, even with the 36 spaces in Newport, in a single night snapshot, figures from the Welsh Government’s rough sleepers count show there were none available.

Even if they were, it wouldn’t have been enough to accommodate the 39 found across Gwent – 24 in Newport, six in Caerphilly, five in Monmouthshire, three in Torfaen and one in Blaenau Gwent.

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said: “Providing accommodation to those who need it and supporting people who are homeless or sleeping rough remains our top priority.

“The council has provided accommodation to a number of rough sleepers over the last few years and will continue to do so, due to the priority that has been given to increasing accommodation provision.

“A key area of success has been the council’s provision of shared housing in Monmouthshire, of which we continue to expand.

“Monmouthshire also works with key stakeholders including Llamau, local churches and B & B providers to provide emergency accommodation to those who need it.

“We encourage anyone facing homelessness or knows of someone in this situation to contact our housing team so we can help.”