07.11.13
£3.5m funding to tackle homelessness
Grants from the Homeless Transition Fund will help break the cycle of rough sleeping in 30 projects areas, housing minister Kris Hopkins has announced.
Funding of £3.5m will be shared between 64 local authorities to offer help with accommodation, jobs and healthcare. It will also contribute to the further roll-out of the ‘No Second Night Out’ pledge, which originated in London.
Hopkins said: “I am absolutely clear that homelessness has no place in the 21st century and I am determined that every effort is made to prevent and tackle rough sleeping and get more support to vulnerable people in need.
“That’s why I’m pleased to see 30 projects benefit from a share of £3.5m to continue their good work and help people find stable homes and jobs and get their lives back on track.
“This takes the total Homelessness Transition Fund to £20m, which has already helped over 14,000 people facing the prospect of sleeping rough. Today’s funding – on top of the £470m we’ve given councils to help tackle this issue – should help ensure no one spends more than one night on the streets.”
Chair of the fund’s grants panel Sharon Allen said: “We know how damaging spending a night on the streets is to an individual’s wellbeing. The grants we have awarded so far have helped thousands of people in communities across England to escape homelessness and move towards independence.
“The 30 projects chosen for this final round will continue this good work and ensure that individuals who find themselves without a home can be supported to get their lives back on track.”
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