By Tony O’Riley-
The British government has announced interim housing for thousands of rough sleepers taken off the streets during the pandemic.
An initial £3.2 million given to councils at the beginning of the pandemic to help them take immediate action to support rough sleepers off the streets, and a further £3.2 billion of additional funding to help with the immediate pressures councils are facing reflects the support given to assist the homeless by the government,
The additional £105 million will be used to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness into tenancies of their own, including through help with deposits for accommodation, and securing thousands of alternative rooms already available and ready for use, such as student accommodation.
The British government says it is accelerating plans to put in place over 6,000 new supported homes as a landmark commitment to end rough sleeping , a process backed by £433 million of government funding – with 3,300 of these becoming available in the next 12 months.
The funding unveiled on Tuesday takes the total amount provided this year by the government to support rough sleepers and those on the brink of becoming homeless to over half a billion pounds.
Vulnerable
The government-led drive has brought together councils, charities, the private hospitality sector and community groups with the joint aim of protecting some of the most vulnerable people in society from Covid-19, and helping them turn around their lives and get them off the streets for good. It has come during one of the most challenging periods we have ever faced as a nation.
The announcement comes as plans to provide 6,000 long-term, safe homes continue at pace, to ensure the work being done to take society’s most vulnerable off the streets during the pandemic has a lasting impact.
Last month, the government unveiled transformative plans to support thousands of rough sleepers currently housed in emergency accommodation to move on to more sustainable, long-term housing, with 3,300 additional supported homes to be provided this year.
A further £16 million is also being provided so that vulnerable people currently in emergency accommodation can access they specialist help they need for substance misuse issues, in order to rebuild their lives and move towards work and education.
Housing Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
”In recent months, I have seen a huge effort across the country to keep almost 15,000 vulnerable people off the streets. This has been vital to ensure their safety during the peak of the pandemic and has changed the lives of thousands for the better.
The additional funding announced today will allow us to continue to support these individuals – giving them access to the accommodation and support they need now while we continue with plans to deliver thousands of long-term homes in the coming months.
Together, this takes the funding provided by Government for vulnerable rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming homeless to over half a billion this year – an unprecedented commitment as we move towards ending rough sleeping for good.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay MP said:
”It’s vital we do everything we can to support the most vulnerable people in society – especially during challenging times like these.
This funding will not only mean that thousands of rough sleepers continue to have a roof over their head, but it also provides a platform to unlock new opportunities to improve their lives for the better”.