City's homeless numbers at highest in years

THE number of people sleeping rough on the streets of Exeter is at its highest for 15 years, according to new figures.

- GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter

A 'rough sleeper' on Sidwell Street, in Exeter

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says there were 51 people sleeping rough in Exeter on the night of November 12 last year, which is the largest number recorded since the 'snapshot' count began in 2010.

Part of the increase is down to a change in the way the count is done, but local homelessness charity St Petrock’s has praised Exeter City Council for overhauling the way it counts the figure, despite knowing it would create an increase in numbers.

Exeter's figures place the city within the top five local authorities and districts in England, with an estimated rate of 36.8 people rough sleeping per 100,000 population count.