Mansfield First Steps project: independent evaluation

This is the third and final evaluation report for the Mansfield First Steps project. It builds upon interim reports submitted in October 2020 and in January 2021 to the commissioners of the evaluation Mansfield District Council. Mansfield First Steps is a new service that has been supported by the MHCLG to address Rough Sleeping in Nottinghamshire. In 2017/18 Mansfield had the largest number (189) of statutorily homeless people of the district councils in Nottinghamshire, a number that had been rising since 2013/14. It was significantly higher at 4.04 per 1,000 population than the East Midlands average at 2.29 and the average for England (2.41). The First Steps projects is in addition to and outside the statutory homelessness provision and service. It relates to habitual long-term rough sleepers invariably with multiple and complex physical, emotional, and mental health needs.