RECENTLY released Government figures show an increase in UK rough sleepers – with an estimated record high of 4,793 people recorded as living on the streets during a single night last Autumn.
In response to this growing problem, a National Plan to End Homelessness has been launched – backed by a £3.5-million prevention pot over three years. North East Lincolnshire Council is set to benefit from some of this investment and, as it works with partners to strengthen support available across the borough, we are running a series of articles that focus on the support already available for rough sleepers.
In February 2024, North East Lincolnshire Council officially opened Swan House, a provision for people ready to move on from sleeping on the streets but who still need the support to manage their tenancy.
Local charity, Humbercare, is commissioned to provide the support to help residents learn and understand the long-term skills they need to manage their housing.
Nathan moved into Swan House at the end of 2025 after being supported in the Harbour Place night shelter.
Along with his long-term friend, he slept rough for 6-months, after struggling to pay their rent and being evicted from their home.
Nathan said: “Other people on the streets told us about Harbour Place, who found us a bed on the night shelter. It was through them and their support that we moved into Swan House.
“We now share a 2-bedroom flat, and both have had the support of Humbercare, the workers here really make the place, they’re there to help you, but they also feel like your mates. It feels like home.
“Sleeping on the streets is scary, but there were some good parts, there’s something special about laying out looking at the stars in the summer. Now though, I love living at Swan House, if I had it my way, I’d stay here forever, it’s a God send.”
Since living at Swan House, the pair have worked with local partners and the Humbercare support workers, receiving support from Turning Point, and working towards long term, permanent housing.
They now help with the new allotment based over the road, and are hoping to start a cooking social with the rest of the residents to have a family-style meal once a week, creating a community within the walls of Swan House.
Once residents are settled, the Swan House team look at their long term goals, working on accessing long-term accommodation and getting back into training, education and employment.
Nathan told us: “The services we’ve had support from are all great, but we had to put the work in too, you have to meet them halfway. You get so much out of it too, put in a little bit of effort and the result is amazing.”
“Sometimes you just need someone to see you, someone to lean on, and someone to understand when you’re going through a hard time. We got that when services found us and helped us into Swan House. We couldn’t thank those that helped us more.”
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