Council’s tally of 13 rough sleepers in County Durham questioned

Durham County Council’s latest figures reveal 13 people have been spotted sleeping rough around the region. 

Figures released earlier this year revealed, on average, 18 people were sleeping rough in County Durham. The Government data showed the figure for autumn 2024 had increased from 11 the previous year in the county. 

Asked about the council’s latest updated figure, Matthew Edwards, housing access and Independent living manager, told a scrutiny meeting: “The average we have on any night in County Durham is 13, according to the latest data. 

“The team will go out overnight and count rough sleepers. They tend to be concentrated around Durham City but they will be around the county potentially.”

However, councillors doubted the accuracy of the number during a debate on the local authority’s homelessness and rough sleeping strategy. 

Speaking at County Hall on Monday (December 15), Independent Councillor Bill Moist said: “I find it hard to believe. We have four in Chester-le-Street, are they included? I understand you can’t see everybody but are we downplaying the problem?”

In the North East as a whole, the number of people sleeping rough more than doubled in the last two years. 

And Cllr Moist’s concern over the council’s tally of rough sleepers was echoed by another member of the committee.

Reform Councillor Kenny Hope, who chaired the scrutiny meeting, said: “I find it hard to believe that there are only 13 people within our area, and I think we could monitor this more closely.”

Cllr Moist’s comments came as he encouraged the council to improve in-person support for rough sleepers and homeless people in County Durham. 

He added: “Not everybody is digitally aware as we are. Do homeless people have access to information [on the council’s website]? This authority has cut the customer access points; the one in Chester-le-Street has closed.

“How do homeless people, those who need assistance, access the help if they don’t have access to a mobile phone or laptop? Can we get back to an open-door policy where people with problems can go? 

“We have a statutory right to help these people and we have to try and help them, not just have a policy that says information is available on the web page. These people haven’t got access.”

The council’s homelessness and rough sleeping strategy was adopted in 2024 and focuses on the four priorities: prevention, intervention, support, and reduction. 

Since the latest plan was adopted, the council has acquired 40 properties for temporary accommodation and begun the delivery of the Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), providing 32 units in council-owned accommodation. 

Twenty-two people have also been housed since April through the ex-offenders programme, the council said.