AGAINST a background of rising homelessness in the borough, Thurrock Council has signed a contract worth more than £2 million to support two hostels in the area and a range of support services for those who are homeless and those in danger of being put out on the streets.

Last month Thurrock's Conservative administration came under fire from Labour councillors after it was revealed that 42 borough families had been made homeless during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic - and more were expected to be evicted.

Labour's housing spokesperson Cllr Lynn Worrall described the statistics as 'deeply upsetting' and rounded on her political rivals and demanded action.

She accused the Tories of complacency and slated housing portfolio holder Cllr Barry Johnson saying: "He needs to urgently get a grip before the situation gets even worse.

"We need to work with people as early as possible to help keep them in their homes as well as building more affordable homes for Thurrock folk - both things that Thurrock Tories has absolutely failed to do for the last four years."

Cllr Johnson responded directly to Thurrock Nub News, recognising the rising problems with homelessness and saying the council was actively working on building new council houses."

However, he failed to mention that in July the authority had signed a £2,221,240 three year (with a one year option) contract with Sanctuary Housing to deliver management and support for two homeless hostels in Thurrock and also work with the council in providing 'floating support' to residents at risk of facing eviction.

The contract also includes running a project called Housing First, providing intensive support to people who are long term or recurrently homeless and have high ongoing support needs.

And further to that, Sanctuary will be working with the council on a Rough Sleepers Outreach, identifying and providing interventions for rough sleepers bedded down in the borough.

The new contract appears to supersede that which the council had with St Mungo's - another housing charity which has previously come under criticism for its poor level of service and the quality of the hostels it ran in Thurrock for the council.

Sanctuary will be running a 24 bed unit in Charles Street, Grays, and another nine bed establishment in Clarence Road.

The Clarence Road site will have a particular focus on young people aged 16 and 17 years old who have declared themselves as homeless.