The Housing Secretary has announced 274 councils will receive emergency funding to provide accommodation for people at risk of homelessness as part of the Government’s commitment to end rough sleeping.
During the height of the pandemic, the Government launched an incredible national effort that found secure accommodation for the vast majority of rough sleepers, helping to protect lives and prevent the spread of the virus.
We are building on that progress by providing ongoing support and emergency accommodation for rough sleepers, including by helping people into the private rented sector, secure interim accommodation such as supported housing, and assess the wider support these people need in order to rebuild their lives.
This funding will ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have safe accommodation and the care and support they need, to ensure as few as possible return to the streets.
An additional £13.5 million fund will be used to enable local authorities to tackle new or emerging challenges.
Separately, applications are now being considered for a further £161 million fund intended to provide over 3,300 additional supported homes this year for those sleeping rough or currently housed in emergency accommodation. The bidding has now closed and details on successful bids will be announced in due course. This is part of broader support to provide 6,000 such homes over four years.
Speaking about the emergency funding, MP Andy Carter said:
Homelessness doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s caused by difficult and complicated problems like addiction, mental illness or a relationship breaking down. Fixing those problems means being ready to intervene with a tailored, individual answer to get someone’s life back on track, before things start to spiral downhill quickly.
I’m glad Warrington Borough Council is getting extra cash so they can do this better. It won’t fix everything in one go, but it’s an absolutely essential step in the right direction.
Secretary of State for Housing, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
The incredible national effort to support rough sleepers during the pandemic has protected many lives and is widely regarded as one of the most successful programmes of its kind in the world. I’m hugely grateful to all those involved.
This funding will ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have safe accommodation and the care and support they need, to ensure as few as possible return to the streets.
