ROUGH sleepers in Basildon will now be helped by Sanctuary Supported Living after Basildon Council agreed a new partnership aimed at overcoming barriers to homelessness.

Basildon Council's housing solutions team will be working with Sanctuary to provide community-based support for long-term and entrenched rough sleepers, as well as those who are newly homeless and sleeping rough.

Staff will help people to find appropriate accommodation and provide support with applying for financial assistance and managing a tenancy, with the aim of breaking the cycle of repeat homelessness. Basildon Homelessness service is an extension of Sanctuary Supported Living's homelessness services already available in the region.

Chairman of Basildon Council's Housing and Community Committee Cllr Kerry Smith said: "No one should be without a home and we are committed to ending homelessness and rough sleeping in Basildon. I am delighted to welcome Sanctuary Supported Living on board to help us tackle this issue that is a blight on our society."

Kelly Cross, Sanctuary Supported Living's Area Service Manager for Essex, added: "We are so pleased to be working with Basildon Council to offer more support to people who are sleeping rough in the local area. We hope that, with support from our experienced team, people sleeping rough in Basildon can turn their lives around and look forward to a brighter future."

If you see somebody sleeping rough, you are invited to use the Streetlink app or website to notify us of their location. The outreach service will use your information to locate the person and start providing them with assistance. The website is www.streetlink.org.uk or download the free streetlink app from your app store.