Rough sleepers across the country will be supported off the
streets and into long-term homes with £174 million funding boost,
the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has
announced today.
The funding, which forms part of the government’s Rough Sleeping
Accommodation Programme, will create over 2,900 move-on homes
between 2021 and 2024 as part of the £433 million programme.
All housing provided includes refurbished flats from unlettable
homes in disrepair and new build properties, converted hotels and
schools.
The accommodation will be provided with specially-trained support
workers – often from homelessness charities such as St. Mungo’s –
who will be offering treatment for mental health issues and
substance misuse to help long-term rough sleepers and newly
homeless people remain in their tenancies and into employment or
training.
Councils across England are invited to bid for funding for the
remainder of the programme as part of a total investment of £433
million in safe, long-term, stable and supported housing for
rough sleepers.
, Minister for Housing and
Rough Sleeping said:
One person sleeping rough on our streets is one too many, and
more is needed to help people who find themselves in this
terrible situation.
That’s why I’m delighted to announce this funding for the Rough
Sleeping Accommodation Programme, which is supporting people to
access housing and, crucially, specialist support to rebuild
their lives and become independent again.
This government does not just want to make a dent in the number
of rough sleepers – we want to end rough sleeping for good, and
through innovative programmes like this we’re on track to ensure
no one is forced to spend a night on the streets.
The government is working closely with leading housing
associations and local authorities to fast-track thousands of
homes and bring rough sleepers off the streets for good.
Areas benefitting from the funding include:
-
Bedford: The council will purchase 10
open market properties that will provide independent living and
support to rough sleepers with the highest need.
-
Nottingham: 35 homes available for rough
sleepers across a number of schemes, including the purchase and
repair of 15 homes close to the city centre and local
amenities.
-
London: Southwark Council has purchased
20 self-contained flats specifically for rough sleepers and
ex-rough sleepers, as well as providing additional support
through their successful Housing First service.
-
Bristol: Over 80 homes across the city
will be provided for rough sleepers, including 8 modern,
high-quality modular properties in partnership with the
Salvation Army.
-
Liverpool: Rough sleepers will move into
over 100 homes close to the city centre, the majority of which
will benefit from a garden to encourage a settled environment
for tenants.
-
West Lindsey: The council will purchase 6
homes in the towns of Gainsborough and Market Rasen, with rough
sleepers supported by trained staff to sustain their tenancies
and live as independently as possible.
This programme is part of the government’s drive to end rough
sleeping by the end of this Parliament – backed by over £2
billion for rough sleeping and homelessness services over the
next 3 years, with 6,000 homes pledged for rough sleepers by the
end of this Parliament.
The government is already making progress to meet its target of
ending rough sleeping – the annual rough sleeping snapshot in
2020 saw a 37% reduction from the year before, driven by the
success of the Everyone In initiative. Rough sleeping levels have
fallen 43% since 2017.
The multi-year funding commitment is enabling local partners to
better plan services and maximise efficiencies – demonstrating
our commitment to build on recent progress.
Further information
See an overview of the 2021-2024 Rough Sleeping
Accommodation Programme.
All allocations are subject to due diligence and contracting
processes with DLUHC, Homes England and the Greater London
Authority. Payment of this is funding is also subject to
successful completion of milestones as set out in successful
bids.
