Thousands of vulnerable people sleeping rough will get specialist support to recover from life on the streets, thanks to a £25 million funding boost announced this week by Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP. Swindon Borough Council has just secured £115,000 of that government funding to help the most vulnerable rough sleepers off the streets.
Heather Wheeler, the Housing and Homelessness Minister, said: “We are taking steps to ensure people in Swindon never have to face even one night on the streets.
“These are vulnerable people, who may be dealing with complex mental health problems or addictions and require specialist support to tackle these issues and turn their lives around.
“The funding confirmed today will ensure those sleeping on the streets in Swindon have access to the professional help and guidance they need to get back on their feet – taking us one step closer to ending rough sleeping for good.”
The money, to be shared with 108 local authorities across the country, will be used to fund innovative local schemes aimed at supporting people off the streets and into stable accommodation where they can receive the tailored care they need.
This will include:
- 20 new “Somewhere Safe to Stay” rough sleeping centres – where people on the streets can access professional help and guidance, including immediate shelter and mental health support
- Over 130 navigator posts – specialist support workers who direct people to the services they need, such as counselling, housing advice, mental health support or substance misuse services
- 61 supported lettings schemes – helping people to secure tenancies in properties that they may not otherwise be able to access
- 30 dedicated local letting agencies – specialist agencies that support vulnerable people into affordable and stable accommodation
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said, “We are taking steps to ensure people never have to face even one night on the streets. These are vulnerable people, who may be dealing with complex mental health problems or addictions and require specialist support to tackle these issues and turn their lives around. The funding confirmed today will ensure those sleeping on the streets have access to the professional help and guidance they need to get back on their feet – taking us one step closer to ending rough sleeping for good.”
The financial boost forms part of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy – backed by £100 million – which sets out detailed plans to support thousands of people off the street and end rough sleeping for good.
The 20 new rough sleeping centres builds upon 11 announced in December last year, bringing the total to 31 – exceeding the commitment made in the Strategy.
This also follows the confirmation of £46 million for councils over the next year – including the 83 areas with the highest number of rough sleepers –to support people in their area off the streets and into secure accommodation where they can get the help they need to rebuild their lives.
Councils will use this investment to create an estimated additional 2,600 beds and 750 support staff – meaning there are more people sleeping in warm beds tonight as a result of government funding.
