Communities secretary, James Brokenshire MP, has confirmed councils across the UK will share over £46m to end rough sleeping
This funding includes £34m for the 83 Rough Sleeping Areas and an additional £12m for other areas of the country, demonstrating this government’s commitment to tackling the issue and end rough sleeping once and for all.
The money forms part of the government’s £100m Rough Sleeping Strategy and will be used to fund rough sleeping coordinator roles, add new or additional outreach services and extend existing or provide new temporary accommodation.
This includes night shelters and hostel spaces. There is also an opportunity to provide housing-led solutions such as Housing First services.
Across all areas, it is estimated that the money will provide funding for up to:
- 110 rough sleeping coordinators to improve the issue
- 300 outreach workers
- 350 other support and specialist roles
- over 1,400 new emergency bed spaces, including winter night shelter provision
- over 700 new long-term beds, including in the private rented sector and supported housing
- more than 500 new temporary spaces, through hostels for example
- over £2.5m for spot-purchasing beds and increasing access to accommodation
Some projects will provide specialist support such as family reconnections, immigration advice or access to mental and physical health services.
Others will focus on providing services for specific groups of people, such as vulnerable women, those transitioning from leaving care or people trying to get their life back on track after leaving prison.
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: “The £100m-backed Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out this government’s blueprint for ending rough sleeping for good.
“We are taking the necessary steps to make that happen, already providing 2,600 additional beds and 750 more support staff for the most vulnerable people in our society.
“But we must keep up the momentum and that’s why we are giving this funding to areas and projects that need it, ensuring progress continues to be made and people are given the help they need to turn their lives around.
“This is all part of the government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative, launched last spring, which is providing over £45m to councils over the next 2 years to support rough sleepers in their area off the streets and into secure accommodation where they can get the help they need to rebuild their lives.”
