36.1. Over the last five years Norwich City Council and its partners have continued to make significant progress in preventing and reducing rough sleeping and homelessness. Through strong partnership working, targeted support, and the expansion of specialist roles, we have improved access to accommodation, maintained low numbers of people sleeping rough, and strengthened pathways for some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
36.2. The following highlights showcase the collective impact of our ongoing commitment to ending homelessness in Norwich:
36.3. Activated Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) beds during periods of severe weather, maximising the use of hostel beds and securing additional accommodation to keep people sleeping rough safe.
36.4. Norwich has seen a fall in rough sleeping numbers over time. In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 the number of individuals sleeping rough on a single night in Norwich decreased from 21, to 10, to 7, and finally to 5. This was despite a national increase in rough sleeping figures across the rest of the UK. Though this count increased in 2024 in line with national trends, it remained low with only 12 individuals seen to be sleeping rough on one night.
36.5. Continued to develop strong relationships with partner agencies such as Norfolk County, NHS teams, Probation and Prison Service, Serco and develop effective pathways for vulnerable groups.
36.6. Expanded specialist officers in the Housing Options team and Specialist Support Team to include refugee specialist support officer, housing officer (refugees), housing officer (ex-offenders).