Research from a UK homeless charity shows that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have the fifth highest rate of homelessness of local authorities in the south west.

The study, carried out by charity Shelter, says that an estimated 1095 people, at a rate of one person in 366, are homeless in the conurbation. This number combines those sleeping rough, which is estimated to be 29, with those in temporary accommodation.

The research is the most comprehensive overview of recorded homelessness in the UK.

Shelter says it is bracing for a “sharp rise in homelessness in 2023.”

James Sharp, chair of charity Hope For Food, who aim to support those that are homeless or vulnerably housed, said these figures are not a surprise, and that the number of those in temporary accommodation is concerning.

“Right back from last summer we were saying that the demand on our services is going to rise and is going to rise across the board for the other charities as well. So, it’s not remotely a surprise,” he said.

“It will be interesting to know what Shelter are going to do with this, what political impact they want this to have, what push there is on the current administration.

“We are a charity that shouldn’t have to exist, we shouldn’t have to be finding food for vulnerable people. It’s a stain on how we live as a society.”

Councillor Hazel Allen, Lead Member for Homelessness said addressing issues in the report was a ‘top priority’.

“With the current cost of living crisis and added financial pressures, we are increasingly focussing on prevention strategies, as well as helping people to move off the streets and out of danger permanently, including into short-term supported emergency accommodation such as our SStS (Somewhere Safe to Stay) service and also into long-term accommodation,” she said.

Councillor Allen said the council have received £7.3m from the 2022-2025 Rough Sleeping Initiative, to aid their intervention services for those who are rough sleeping and at risk of losing their homes.

They are working with the Outreach Team to offer support and a multi-disciplinary team meets weekly to formulate solutions for those rough sleeping.

“There is ongoing work to help people with money concerns and improve financial resilience. Efforts include employment and training opportunities, while partnering with people with lived experience of homelessness to prevent the same happening to others,” she said.

“There has also been a range of other funding including RSAP (Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme) which is on track to deliver 40 homes, and other funding relating to Out of Hospital Care, support for people with substance dependencies, people with an offending history and survivors of domestic abuse, to name a few.”