Housing Secretary MP has today (15 May) announced an extra £203m in
funding for the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative.
The funding will be given to councils across England and will
support projects such as shelters and specialist mental health or
addiction services. It will be used by councils, charities and
other local groups to fund up to 14,500 bed spaces.
MHCLG have also announced that analysis of the Rough Sleeping
Programme shows it has reduced rough sleeping by 32% since it
launched in 2018.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Efforts over the
last year to get people off our streets, into safe accommodation
and connected to support have been vital. This funding to
continue that work is welcome, and will help local authorities
continue to make life changing interventions.
“But the number of people helped by this funding will only
scratch the surface. For people with multiple support needs who
require specialist programmes, like Housing First, to help them
out of homelessness for good, this announcement falls short.
Without such sustained support, those helped off the streets
today risk returning to them tomorrow.
“It must also be acknowledged that getting people off the streets
is just the beginning of the journey to leaving homelessness
behind. To end rough sleeping in England for good, we urgently
need long term solutions, where people are supported into safe
and permanent homes. The UK Government must lay out a national
strategy to provide the genuinely affordable housing we need and
deliver Housing First programmes for those who need them.”
