WYCOMBE District Council is working to address homelessness in the district, says its deputy leader following criticism from an opposition leader.

Leader of the Wycombe Labour party, Cllr Victoria Groulef, told the BFP homelessness was a ‘ticking timebomb’ and urged WDC to act now before it gets worse (see link).

But Deputy Leader Cllr David Carroll said the council has helped to place more than 100 families in private accommodation in the last 18 months.

And added the authority was actively working towards setting-up a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

The SWEP - a government backed scheme - would mean rough sleepers would be taken off the streets when weather forecasts indicate the temperate would drop below freezing for three consecutive nights.

Cllr Carroll said: “Through our homelessness prevention fund, we have helped to set up over 100 families in the private rented sector in the last 18 months.

“In addition, we have continued our liaison work between landlords and tenants to help resolve issues and prevent families from becoming homeless in the first place.

"We are currently working closely with our partners, including Wycombe Homeless Connection, to develop a SWEP to address the needs of rough sleepers.

“And we have agreed that agencies who work with rough sleepers will meet on a regular basis to find alternative arrangements for those who are known to be sleeping out.”

He added a grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government would be used to develop the council’s plans.

But Cllr Groulef believes WDC could still do more for the homeless and says the authority should follow the lead of Reading Borough Council and its proposed Pathway Project.

She said: “The council still isn’t going far enough to help the homeless.

“With the changes to the housing benefit scheme on the horizon, the Tories need to put the homeless and housing at the very top of their priority list.

“Cllr Carroll said at a recent council meeting ‘homelessness is our priority’, well Cllr Carroll, it’s time to step up to the mark and prove it.”

• THE Wycombe Homeless Connection says it has been "thrilled" by the response to a feature on its work in the Bucks Free Press.

The High Wycombe-based charity said it had received several calls from BFP readers, offering their services to help out at its night shelter and drop-in centres.

And artist Lynne Jones has teamed up with the connection to create large scale works and a video about a day in the life of a homeless person.

The exhibition, A Journey with the Wycombe Homeless Connection, will be held at the High Wycombe Library between January 11 and 29.

To volunteer your services or to find out more about the connection, visit www.wyhoc.org.uk or call 01494 447699.