'A lack of housing that's affordable, a lack of community infrastructure... It's a perfect storm of crisis'

INSIDE Emmanuel House on a cold winter afternoon, the charity veterans delved into issues that surround the ever-growing challenge of homelessness n Nottingham.

- LOUIS CORBETT reports

Denis Tully and incoming CEO Isabella Harriss at Emmanuel House

According to Nottingham City Council's latest figures, there were a reported 739 people found sleeping rough in the city last year, with an average of 50 people sleeping rough each night.

In recent months, concerns have been raised around homeless people creating makeshift encampments in shop doorways for safety in numbers.

This comes after deaths in the rough sleeper community doubled last year, from 11 in 2023, according to the Museum of Homelessness.

Mr Tully and Ms Harriss addressed coverage by the Post of the encampments that have been spotted in recent months across the city centre.

Ms Harriss said: "I think there have always been encampments in rough sleeping.

"I do think that it's always been an issue, but now we are seeing more and more people in unconventional spaces.

"It's not just a problem in Nottingham - it's a national issue."

Mr Tully added: "Last year, we had a challenge with the cohort of people who were being referred to the centre, and it was clear that these people's needs had increased, and it was difficult for us to match those needs."