Millions of pounds of government funding is being committed to supporting rough sleepers off the streets, with this coming as temperatures around the country plummet.
With the cold weather setting in and snow beginning to dust the country, local authorities in England are being allocated shares of more than £17 million of government investment to support those who are sleeping rough into long-term, secure accommodation. This comes as part of the wider Rough Sleeping Initiative and brings the total amount of funding that has been committed through that to over £547 million, as well as a further £2 billion over three years.
Some of the local authorities that have been allocated the funding include:
- Nottingham City Council (More than £400,000)
- Bristol City Council (More than £300,000)
- Hastings and Eastbourne Borough Councils (Just below £250,000)
All of the councils in London will also be benefiting from the investment, with more than £3 million being committed to the capital.
Felicity Buchan, Minister for Rough Sleeping, said:
“As the cold weather continues this winter, our mission to help people off the streets is even more urgent. We are determined to deliver our manifesto pledge to end rough sleeping and today’s announcement demonstrates our continuing commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our society with access to a safe and warm home, backed by over £2 billion of government funding over three years.”
Parts of wider government rough sleeping schemes include supporting those who are homeless into work, helping them manage their finances, as well as giving them access to mental and physical health services.
In Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands, more than 1,000 people have been assisted into long-term homes through the Housing First Pilots. According to the scheme, 92% of the people using it have found a home within a year, whilst also saying that they feel less likely to be a victim of crime or being involved in antisocial behaviour.
Speaking about the scheme, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said:
“Since the very start of my time in office, I have made tackling homelessness a key part of my mayoral mission. The regional Housing First scheme has contributed to reducing rough sleeping across the West Midlands, thanks to some brilliant collaborative work – but there is still more that needs to be done.”
Image credit: iStock
