Newcastle is one of 27 places with the worst rough-sleeping problems in England that will receive £375,000 each over the next three years to help them tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. London will get £4,875,000.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the funding would help partners and local authorities find smarter, more joined-up ways to get people off the streets for good, from complex case co-ordination to peer mentoring and stronger links between services.
The Long-Term Rough Sleeping Programme is part of more than £50mn of new plans targeting the people and places under most pressure, the government said. A further £37mn would be invested in the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund to support voluntary, community and faith groups which are often the first port of call for people in crisis.
This Fund would be allocated on a competitive basis to small and medium-sized organisations delivering day-to-day prevention and support services. It would be used to support projects, staffing and building improvements, to expand sector capacity and develop long-term, trauma-informed approaches to ending rough sleeping. Bids are open now until the end of March.
Three pledges
The MHCLG said the new funds were the next steps in the government’s £3.6bn national plan to end homelessness, with three pledge to be achieved by the end of this parliament: to halve long-term rough sleeping, end the unlawful use of B&B for families and prevent more household from becoming homeless in the first place.
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said: “This package strengthens the organisations who stand beside people at their most vulnerable. By supporting frontline teams, encouraging fresh thinking and bringing services together, we’re working to ensure people get the stability and hope they need to build a better future.”
Rick Henderson, CEO of Homeless Link, said: “Preventing and ending rough sleeping must be a priority and we welcome the much-needed new funding announced by the government. In particular, we are delighted to support the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, which contributes additional, strategic funding for voluntary, community and faith sector organisations.
“In recognising the important role of these experienced and trusted organisations in delivering early intervention, crisis, and basic-needs support in their communities, this fund will help ensure that homelessness support meets local need more effectively.”
Bonnie Williams, Chief Executive of Housing Justice: said: “We welcome the government’s new homelessness strategy, particularly its stronger emphasis on prevention and early intervention. Preventing people from reaching crisis point, improving pathways out of temporary accommodation, and strengthening partnership working across housing, health and local government will be essential if we are to see sustained change.
“The dedicated Ending Homelessness in Communities Funding is also a positive step. It has the potential to enable the voluntary, community and faith sector to play an even greater role in the solution providing compassionate, relational support that helps people move from crisis to stability, sustain tenancies, and rebuild fulfilling lives within their communities. We hope that this renewed focus on prevention and community-based solutions will mean that this time next year we see a significant and sustained reduction in rough sleeping.”
*This report is based on a press release from the MHCLG.
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