Thousands of homeless people will get the specialist support they need to recover from life on the streets through the creation of new rough sleeping centres
The new rough sleeping centres have been announced by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire as part of the government’s £100m Rough Sleeping Strategy.
11 Somewhere Safe to Stay centres will be set up across the UK. These will help provide immediate shelter and rapid assessment for those sleeping rough or at risk of doing so as well as specialist support to address those with complex needs such as mental health problems and substance misuse.
This builds on the first year of the Rough Sleeping Initiative, launched in March, which is providing £64m to over 80 councils over the next 2 years to support rough sleepers in their area.
This funding has already created 1,750 new bed spaces, as well as an additional 500 outreach workers.
The new rough sleeping hubs – supported by £4.8m government funding – will be up and running by spring 2019, with a further 4 centres to follow next year.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: “No one should ever have to face a night on the streets, and as a government we are taking steps to ensure people are never faced with this as their only option.
“These are vulnerable people, who may be dealing with complex mental health problems or addictions and require specialist help to tackle these issues and turn their lives around.
“That’s why these vital new hubs will ensure those on the streets have access to professional help and guidance to start their recovery.”
The first Somewhere Safe to Stay hubs will be in the following areas:
- Brighton & Hove
- Bristol
- Cheshire West & Chester
- Derby
- Gloucestershire (encompassing the 7 councils in the county)
- Lincoln
- Liverpool
- Medway
- Nottingham City
- Preston
- West London (encompassing 7 borough councils)
