Rough sleepers experiencing violence and abuse will be provided with safe housing as part of a new pilot programme, the government has announced.
The Respite Rooms Trial Programme, first announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, will see 12 local areas across England share £3.7m to fund accommodation and expert support for victims of violence and abuse.
Under this initiative, safe housing will be offered to victims of domestic abuse, rape or sexual assault, sex workers, victims of exploitation, or violence who are sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping.
The funding will create a total of 140 bed spaces and support an estimated 1,100 people over a 12 month trial period.
The programme will provide single gender spaces for victims alongside specialist support from homelessness and domestic abuse and violence against women and girls charities.
This will also include support for those with multiple and complex needs, such as substance misuse, migrant victims of abuse and victims of sexual trafficking.
As part of the programme, victims will be offered advice and support to access suitable more permanent safe accommodation.
Commenting, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, Eddie Hughes said:
“Survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence or physical violence need a safe place of refuge to escape these crimes and rebuild their lives.
“These respite rooms will provide a safe space and ensure vulnerable people at risk of sleeping rough are supported in safe housing with expert advice and counselling.
“This programme is part of the government’s much wider action to help the most vulnerable in our communities, with £750m investment this year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.”
The 12 areas across England that will receive funding under the trial programme are: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Birmingham, Bristol, Camden, Exeter, Hastings, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Portsmouth and Westminster.
This announcement is part of the government’s plans to tackle domestic abuse and support victims of sexual violence and abuse, as well as to support rough sleepers off the streets for good.
Under the government’s Domestic Abuse Act 2021, councils will be required to provide life-saving support in safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims and their children who require it, backed by £125m of government funding.
This funding is part of the long-term strategy to provide comprehensive support to victims, in addition to the £40m funding boost for victim support services announced earlier this year, as well as a cross-government victims strategy that works better for survivors.
