One of the key services on the frontline of supporting people with complex needs is set to be extended for a further two years.
The Plymouth Alliance is a city-wide partnership between a conglomerate of organisations and charities dedicated to supporting people to overcome a range of issues.
As well as providing emergency and temporary accommodation for those experiencing homelessness, the Alliance also provides outreach and support services to people who are rough sleeping, drug and alcohol dependent or are suffering from poor mental health to provide a system of support around people when they need it.
The Alliance is commissioned by and includes Plymouth City Council working in partnership with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, Harbour, Shekinah, the Zone, Plymouth Access To Housing (PATH), Livewell Southwest and Hamoaze, who bring their individual and collective expertise to deliver a wide ranging, person-centred approach.
Originally formed in 2019, the Alliance contract is now progressing into the sixth year of the original 10 year contract and will be considered by Cabinet when they meet on Monday 11 March.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: "I'm very pleased that the Plymouth Alliance is set to continue its fantastic work for another two years.
"The Alliance has made such a different to so many lives in the last five years and to be able to continue that work, when external economic factors mean that the demand for their services is high, is so important for the city.
"The Plymouth Alliance is a shining example of how partnership work can not only be effective, but also ensure that individuals needing to use the service get that holistic approach that is so needed in such a complex arena."
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, added: "The demand for the services of the Plymouth Alliance has never been higher, especially around the issue of rough sleeping and homelessness.
"I welcome the extension of the Alliance contract and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the partners and the staff involved. You daily meet and take care of people at the lowest ebb of their lives and the kindness, compassion, empathy and professionalism you show is truly humbling."
Like most local authorities in the UK, our homelessness and rough sleeping teams are experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand for services.
The cost of living crisis and increased private sector rent costs, along with the legacy effects of the pandemic like business and job loss, are all factors that have led more and more people to seek our help.
Between October and December 2023 alone, the Alliance accommodated 63 rough sleepers, supported nearly 450 individuals to maintain their tenancies and crucially, helped 76 clients to leave the system altogether.
The partnership has allowed the Council to improve services for rough sleepers, with the formation of the Multi-Agency Rough Sleeping team which has on occasions, such as during the pandemic of during adverse weather, been able to offer bed space for all of the city’s rough sleepers.
The Council's cabinet will meet on Monday 11 March to discuss and vote on the extension. You can watch it live on YouTube at youtube.com/plymouthcitycouncil