I would like to respond to Mr Reed’s letter of 22nd Sept ‘Shame of society’ and take this opportunity to explain the support marginalised people are given in Weymouth through W&PBC (and DCC).

Firstly, rough sleepers are our residents and are no different from other residents but have different, often more complex, needs.

Entrenched rough sleepers are a challenging group of residents to help but a lot of time and effort is put into helping them.

The council works with Julian House and the Lantern Trust providing a street outreach service and ongoing support for those who choose to take it but to imply that we ‘give up’ on those who choose not to take it just not true.

There are also a number of other agencies working through the NHS to support these people.

The letter mentions the Housing First project which is DCC funded, that offers people accommodation and then works intensively with them to maintain the tenancy.

This project was started earlier this year and, although, pan Dorset; a lot of the resource is being put into Weymouth as that is where the need is.

W&PBCs response is not as Mr Reed describes.

We treat residents who are homeless or rough sleeping with dignity and respect, as we do other residents. Society in general however prefers to marginalise these residents, an attitude which I find abhorrent.

CLLR GILL TAYLOR

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland

Housing Briefholder for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council