Brighton's Homelessness Figures Rise by a Staggering 13%
A total of 1,267 people people applied to be registered as homeless in Brighton in 2013, nearly 150 more than the previous year.
With these figures representing a significant 12.72% increase in applications since 2012, only 507 of applicants were accepted as owed a main homelessness duty.
As a result, more than 750 people who had their application rejected were left with little support from Brighton and Hove City Council and had to turn to local charities for help.
A large number of them gather in the city centre during the day and resort to begging, busking and even challenge passers-by to a game of chess in order to get some cash.
According to a very promising Brighton and Hove Single Homelessness Strategy introduced by the local council in 2008, homelessness in Brighton was a worrying issue that needed to be put at the top of the agenda in order to "keep the numbers of rough sleepers to as near zero as possible".
The document highlights that homelessness in Brighton had been at its lowest in 2007, with more than 60% of the 755 applications made to the council being accepted, highlighting the fact that "statutory homelessness acceptances have reduced by 50% since 2003/4."
Click on the Map for More Information
However a Freedom of Information request revealed that since the Strategy was introduced nearly five years ago, homelessness applications have risen by 67%, accepting just 26 people more than they did in 2007.
The Information Compliance Officer for the council confirmed that "the numbers currently on the streets are higher than at the commencement of the Strategy", stating that this was due to the large number of homelessness applications made to the council in the past three years.
The same FOI request revealed that the council has not carried out a head count of rough sleepers this year, explaining that they had calculated an estimate of 90 in March 2013.
However these figures are likely to be significantly higher, since more than 370 people accessed services at The Clock Tower Sanctuary alone in the last 12 months.
With the council's strategy under fire and numerous questions raised over its effectiveness, more than 400 homeless people are turning to local charities and independent organisations to get support.
Nick, who became homeless six years ago after being made redundant, said all his attempts to get help from the council after moving to Brighton proved to be fruitless.
He was put on a waiting list to be housed in 2007, joining dozens of other homeless people waiting for the same opportunity.
Rough sleeper street outreach services
Floating support to those in emergency placement accommodation
7 hostels with 288 units of accommodation
Supported accommodation with 215 units
Floating support for those who have moved onto independent living
Crisis support for those at risk of losing a tenancy
Peer support
He said: "I just thought that due to the fact that from 16 until 22 I was working the whole time, paying tax, I thought I'd be able to get help from the council anywhere, but that wasn't the case."
The council disclosed that five million pounds had been allocated to providing services for the homeless, however did not wish to provide a detailed breakdown of how this money is being used.
However the council mentioned that the money has "funded a pathway of services", including the following:
A spokesperson added: "Funding is also provided to lifeskills and work and learning programmes and behaviour support to assist people to move from high supported accommodation into independent tenancies."
The Council is about to complete its statutory review of homelessness for the past five years which is due to publication in September 2013.
Read Nick's Full Story