Hundreds of people at risk of homelessness in the West Midlands are receiving vital support thanks to a £1 million cash injection from the Government’s Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant programme.
The funding is providing timely, practical help during the coldest winter months for around 700 people who are either sleeping rough, at risk of losing their home, or living in temporary and insecure housing.
The grant supports 16 projects aimed at moving people into stable accommodation, managing bills, finding work or training, and accessing health and wellbeing services to help them rebuild their lives.
The West Midlands Mayor visited Coventry to meet people benefiting from the Move On project, run by housing association Citizen at The Gateway supported housing scheme. The project employs a dedicated Move On Officer to help residents transition from supported accommodation to independent living.
Since its launch in August, the project has already helped 12 residents move into their own homes, with four now in work.
Other initiatives funded by RSPARG include:
- Support for care leavers and women.
- Work with landlords and housing associations to identify tenants at risk before they become homeless.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“Hearing Steve’s story left me in no doubt about the devastating impact that being homeless can have on someone’s life and how a safe, secure home underpins everything. Without it, health, confidence and opportunity can quickly unravel.
“That’s why I’m using this funding to give more people like him and the others I met at The Gateway the hope they need to get themselves back on their feet. It’s already changed their lives for the better and will do the same for many more.
“But designing out homelessness also means having enough safe, affordable homes and alongside this funding we’re also making really good progress in building more social housing than ever, with 2,000 new homes already in the pipeline and more to come.”
Currently, 7,000 households live in temporary accommodation across the West Midlands Combined Authority area, with rough sleeping levels remaining around pre-pandemic figures.
Alongside government funding, the region’s Change into Action campaign has raised over £350,000 since its launch eight years ago, helping more than 2,000 people move away from rough sleeping. The campaign encourages online donations to trusted charities rather than giving directly on the street, ensuring funds provide essentials like housing, clothing, and employment support.
Image credit: iStock
