- £654m funding package will see councils target support at
those who need it the most including vulnerable families and
people at risk of rough sleeping
- £24 million to help provide temporary accommodation for
victims of domestic abuse and their children
- Part of a wider £2 billion package of support to tackle
homelessness and rough sleeping over the next three years
Tens of thousands of vulnerable people will be protected from
homelessness by a £654 million funding package government
announced today, (Friday 23 December).
All councils in England will receive their share of funding from
the Homelessness Prevention Grant to provide vital support to
those who need it the most in their local areas over the next two
years.
The money will be used to provide temporary accommodation for
families, help individuals at risk of becoming homeless pay
deposits for new homes and mediate with landlords to avoid
evictions.
£24 million of the funding will help councils support homeless
domestic abuse victims, ensuring no one has to stay with their
abuser for fear of not having a roof over their head.
Today’s funding follows a £50 million top up to the grant for
this year, announced last month, and forms part of the
Government’s wider £2 billion package of support to tackle
homelessness and rough sleeping, outlined earlier this
year.
Councils have a statutory duty to ensure no family is left
without a roof over their heads and today’s funding announcement
will help them to carry out this duty.
The Prime Minister, , said:
“The government is determined to end rough sleeping and tackle
homelessness because for too many people, the opportunity to
celebrate Christmas in a warm and safe environment is beyond
reach.
“We know that words alone are not enough. That is why government
is investing £2 billion over the next three years to give some of
the most vulnerable people a roof over their heads, along with
targeted support to rebuild their lives.
“Today’s announcement will provide vital support to families who
are at risk of rough sleeping, including by providing temporary
accommodation and helping with deposits”
Minister for Housing and Homelessness, said:
“Everyone should have a safe and secure home. This Government is
determined to prevent homelessness and to get vulnerable families
and individuals the support they need. Whether it’s emergency
housing, support to pay a deposit, or mediation to prevent
eviction, today’s package will provide help to those
who need it the most at the discretion of those who know them
best.”
Councillor Alex Dale, Leader of North East Derbyshire
District Council, said:
“We are really proud of the services the Homelessness Prevention
Grant allows us to fund.
“Homelessness is something that can affect anyone, especially
during these challenging times, and that’s why we use the grant
to serve as many local residents as we can.”
Since the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act in
2018, over 500,000 households have had their homelessness
successfully prevented or relieved.
Councils can use the money flexibly based on their knowledge of
the local area and the local housing market. Many councils use
the funding to offer mediation services for landlords and tenants
to prevent evictions or implement special programmes to identify
root causes of homelessness.
Pathways of Chesterfield, for example, provides a range of
services that help break down the barriers that have led someone
to homelessness and give them tools to move forward.
, a beneficiary of Pathways
said:
“This support will also get me into fulltime work now that I have
a place of my own. It was a comforting experience. Until you've
been in this position it's hard to put into words. As Pathways
housed me, it’s been a massive positive impact on my mental
health.”
To make sure distribution of funding reflects current pressures
and demand in areas across England, the department consulted
councils and other interested stakeholders on amending the
funding arrangements for the grant earlier this year. Today’s
allocations reflect this new formula.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The £654 million Homelessness Prevention Grant runs across
financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
