HOMELESSNESS across Gloucestershire has been tackled for years by local authorities and now, councils have hired a homeless charity to provide even more help for those who are suffering.

Local authorities in Gloucestershire have been working together since September 2012 to help reduce and prevent homelessness across the county.

They started a temporary service which ensured that rough sleepers were helped off the streets as quickly and effectively as possible.

Now, two and a half years on, they have partnered up with homeless charity St Mungo’s Broadway to build on the progress achieved so far and provide even more help and guidance to those who fall on hard times.

The new contract will run from April 1 2015 for an initial period of 18 months, and will employ outreach workers operating across the county.

Cllr Sue Jepson, the cabinet member for planning and housing at Cotswold District Council said: “All the authorities in the county partnership look forward to a positive association and partnership with St Mungo’s.

"We are extremely impressed by the first-rate services that it currently provides for the homeless across London, and the south and south-west of the country.

“It is reassuring to know that those in need across our county will benefit from a wealth of experience that dates back as far as 1969.

"The work of the charities that came together to form St Mungo’s Broadway has been highly commended over the years, and has led to the development of many ground-breaking services. It is also gratifying to note that St Mungo’s recognises that the solutions to homelessness are as varied, complex and individual as the people it supports.”

Adam Rees, regional director for St Mungo's Broadway services in the South and South West, said: "The starting point for our work is that rough sleeping is harmful and dangerous, and that no one should have to sleep rough in this day and age. We'll be working with people to find out why they became homeless and to connect them with services to get them back on track, as needed, into housing, into health services and into work opportunities.

“We look forward to running this service in Gloucestershire and to working with local partners across the area to support people as they move away from homelessness and on with their lives.”