New funding from the Treasury announced by Ministers today (June 23) will provide interim housing for 15,000 rough sleepers during the pandemic.
An additional £105m will be made available to support vulnerable people or those at risk of homelessness into accommodation with their own tenancies. Support will include help with deposits, and attaining thousands of ready-available rooms such as student accommodation.
Today’s funding, of which £85m is from HMT and the remaining £20m is from existing homelessness and rough sleeping budgets, takes the total spent on rough sleeping and homelessness this year to over half a billion pounds.
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.”
A further £16m is also being put into providing help for substance misuse issues for people in emergency accommodation, to help people to get back on their feet and obtain work and education.
Councils, charities, the private hospitality sector and community groups are working together with Government to protect the most vulnerable people in society from Covid-19.
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