Hartlepool Borough Council have commissioned Cornerstone Supported Housing and Counselling to provide specialist support aimed at reducing and preventing rough sleeping across the town.
Hartlepool Borough Council have commissioned Cornerstone Supported Housing and Counselling to provide specialist support aimed at reducing and preventing rough sleeping across the town.
The aim of the service is to reduce and work towards eliminating rough sleeping in Hartlepool by providing support to people who are sleeping rough or at risk of doing so.
Cornerstone have the expertise to help rough sleepers move off the streets as quickly as possible into appropriate accommodation as quickly as possible. Cornerstone provide a flexible approach to support people who are rough sleeping with the ability to target the most marginalised people through an assertive outreach approach.
Councillor Rob Darby, Chair of the Housing, Growth and Communities Committee at Hartlepool Borough Council said: “We are committed to ensuring that nobody in Hartlepool has to sleep rough and that everyone has access to the support they need to build a better future.
“Cornerstone has a strong track record of working with some of our most vulnerable residents and helping them access accommodation, healthcare and specialist support services. By commissioning this service, we are strengthening our efforts to reduce rough sleeping in the town and provide people with the practical help and guidance they need to move away from life on the streets and towards a safer, more stable future."
The service is designed to help and support those who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping and provides relevant advice, support and guidance, improves pathways and access to suitable accommodation including emergency accommodation and also provide drop-in/in-reach and the provision of an emergency crash pad.
Cornerstone already work collaboratively across a range of partners in Hartlepool including Hartlepool Borough Council, Primary health care, DWP, Start, Recovery Connections and Mental Health Services to ensure people receive the support they need to move off the streets and into appropriate accommodation. They also provide a Hub in Park Road where people can drop in to access support. The Hub has regular drop ins with partner agencies such as Start and Recovery Connections.
The service is commissioned by Hartlepool Borough Council from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2028.
To find out more about Cornerstone and the support they provide please visit https://cornerstone-north.org/