Rough sleepers are being helped to get their COVID-19 vaccines
and move into safe accommodation over the winter thanks to a £28
million government funding boost, the Department for Levelling
Up, Housing and Communities announced today.
The Protect and Vaccinate scheme will help to increase vaccine
uptake among people who are homeless and sleeping rough,
supporting those who are hesitant about getting their vital
booster jabs and funding emergency accommodation to get people
off the streets.
This means delivering mobile vaccinations where people are
sleeping on the streets, supporting outreach work in shelters to
educate people about the dangers of the virus, and giving money
to councils to provide safe and secure accommodation while their
level of vaccination is increased.
It is the latest part of the government’s mission to protect
everyone from the threat of Omicron, with people being urged to
get their vaccines and booster jabs - which continue to be the
best way to protect against COVID-19.
The UK has one of the highest uptake rates in the world, with
more than 85% of adults double jabbed so far. However, two jabs
is not enough to protect us from the new Omicron variant, and
there are still thousands of people who haven’t yet come forward.
People in hard-to-reach communities are also being supported to
get vaccinated through targeted communications from councils,
homelessness organisations, faith groups and charities.
Minister for Rough Sleeping, , said:
In the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases and a new variant, we
have an even greater responsibility to protect vulnerable people.
I’m very pleased to announce this funding today, to make sure as
many people as possible are vaccinated and that councils can
protect people sleeping rough and put a roof over their heads.
Today’s announcement builds on the significant progress the
government has made on its manifesto commitment to end rough
sleeping. The annual rough sleeping snapshot in 2020 saw a 37%
reduction from the year before. Rough sleeping levels have fallen
43% since 2017.
Building on the success of the Everyone In initiative, which
supported 37,000 vulnerable people into emergency and longer term
accommodation during the earlier stages of pandemic, this support
will continue to help rough sleepers off the streets and protect
their health.
Overall, the government is investing £2 billion over the next
three years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
