Thousands of people facing homelessness will be supported this winter through a new £84 million funding package announced by the government.
The investment will help families in temporary accommodation, support rough sleepers, and strengthen local services in areas under the greatest pressure.
The funding will prioritise children and families, helping cover essentials such as food, school travel, laundry, and Wi-Fi access, ensuring children can remain in education while living in temporary accommodation.
The funding includes:
- £70 million for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, supporting 62 councils to strengthen local services, partner with charities, and provide sustainable accommodation and specialist health support.
- £11 million to help families in temporary accommodation access basic facilities and cover costs for food, school uniforms, and leisure activities. This will be directed to 61 areas with the highest numbers of children in temporary accommodation.
- £3 million increase for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant, supporting 83 councils and a pan-London project to deliver lifesaving support for people with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues.
- £200,000 uplift for the Voluntary, Community and Frontline Sector Grant, backing innovative faith and community-led initiatives such as night shelters.
Steve Reed, Housing Secretary, said:
“Homelessness is a moral stain on our society. Growing numbers of people have been abandoned to sleep rough on the streets and children left in squalid, overcrowded conditions.
“This government will not stand idly by and allow that to continue. We will make different choices. That’s why we are investing £1 billion to give homeless people the security of a roof over their heads and get back on track to end homelessness for good.”
With record numbers of households in temporary accommodation, including nearly 170,000 children, and rough sleeping more than doubling since 2010, the government says urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable families and break the cycle of homelessness.
The funding will support the delivery of forthcoming homelessness and child poverty strategies, aiming to ensure every child and family can thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
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