Organisations across Kent are urging Boris Johnson to announce further measures to protect people from ending up sleeping rough, as the county prepares to head into a second lockdown.

When the nation was told to remain in their homes back in March, the government's Everyone In scheme was announced, which ensured emergency accommodation was provided by local authorities for all rough sleepers.

But they are yet to announce any such provision this time around, despite the cold and wet November weather which threatens the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness.

Graeme Solly, project leader at Catching Lives in Canterbury , said action needs to be taken immediately to protect those on the streets who are most at risk.

He said: "Getting everyone into accommodation and then offering them support to maintain it is definitely the way forward.

"From our own experience as a charity for over a decade, the longer people spend on the streets, especially in the colder wetter weather, the harder it becomes to support people into housing."

Graeme fears the pandemic will continue to push more people onto the streets who need support from homeless charities like Catching Lives.

He said: "We're still seeing around 25-30 people a day, and in September we had more clients this year than we did last year.

"We're obviously concerned not just about the people who are currently on the streets and what's going to happen with winter provision, but a new wave of homeless people as to the effects of Covid, in terms of evictions, health issues and loss of employment."

The shelter has enough space for six people at a time to come in due to social distancing guidelines, but as the cold nights continue to close in the demand has ballooned.

Graeme said: "The struggle now is that with the colder weather there's more people who want to come in.

"Now we're having to rotate people a bit more because people can't sit in the building for so long, it's starting to take it's toll on people and it's starting to become more and more difficult as the weather gets worse."

KentOnline understands Canterbury City Council are preparing to announce their measures to protect rough sleepers from Thursday, which could include bringing forward the annual winter provision.

But at the time of publishing they were not able to confirm the plans.

During the first lockdown in March the council agreed a £163,000 deal with the government to provide 57 rooms for homeless people in the city's Travelodge.

Porchlight welcome all provisions organised by local councils, but believe central government needs to match their actions from the last lockdown and reinstate the 'Everyone in' emergency accommodation scheme.

Chris Thomas from the charity said: "As coronavirus cases rise, the lives of people sleeping rough are at risk.

"With a new lockdown imminent, the government must reintroduce its 'Everyone In' emergency measures to help people off the streets and into Covid-safe accommodation such as hotels and B&Bs.

"We need the government to give councils the go ahead to house everyone who is homeless, with the extra funding needed to make this happen.

"When the last 'Everyone In' measures were implemented in March, we helped 140 people sleeping rough in Kent inside. Lives were undoubtedly saved.

"Now it's time for the government to act again, before it's too late."

A study published by The Lancet predicts around 266 lives were saved across the UK as a result of finding homeless people accommodation during the first lockdown.

Medway Council has also said it is working to ensure rough sleepers are adequately supported during the impending lockdown.

Mark Breathwick, head of housing for the local authority, said: "We are currently utilising temporary accommodation to house rough sleepers and we will be increasing our capacity over the winter months.

"We are continuing to engage with people sleeping rough to offer tailored support, advice and accommodation."

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