City homeless tally rises

The latest snapshot survey of Brighton and Hove's homelessness problem counted nine rough sleepers, compared to six in January.

The controversial survey has attracted criticism from some homeless aid agencies, who believe the figures are unrealistically low.

Dave Pavitt, of Portslade-based charity Stopover, has estimated there could be as many as 60 people sleeping rough in the city.

The Argus last month spent a night with volunteers from Hove-based Off The Fence Trust and found more homeless people in half an hour than the previous count found in one night.

The survey also does not include those forced to stay at the homelessness night cafe run at St Patrick's Church in Cambridge Road, Hove.

Agencies taking part have denied their figures are inaccurate, pointing to their strict criteria on who qualifies as sleeping rough.

The survey was carried out across the city on April 3 between 11.30pm and 4am by a specialist team.

They included city council officers, Brighton and Hove YMCA, the Crime Reduction Initiative, the Young Person's Substance Misuse Service and the Supporting People Assessment Team.

The agencies said the latest increase was expected, due to the recent improvements in the weather.

Council chief executive David Panter said: "We have to accept that numbers will fluctuate.

"Our criteria for counting rough sleepers is strictly based on those who are bedded down and sleeping on the street for the night.

"Many people who appear to be rough sleepers, such as Big Issue vendors or street drinkers, do have some form of accommodation and don't qualify.

"However, we do make a note of people wandering around who seem to be vulnerable."

Schemes under way include a Hove YMCA project to relocate homeless 16 to 25-year-olds outside the city.

The Brighton Housing Trust also runs a relocation scheme, which has helped about 200 single people find alternative housing in areas of their choice outside Brighton.