More Money To Prevent Rough Sleepers Returning To The Streets
On 24 June, the Government announced an additional £85 million to prevent thousands of people currently in emergency accommodation from having to return to rough sleeping during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The money will be used to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness into tenancies of their own, including through help with deposits for accommodation, and securing thousands of alternative rooms already available and ready for use, such as student accommodation. The extra funding takes the total amount provided this year by government to support rough sleepers and those on the brink of becoming homeless to over half a billion pounds.
The government-led drive has brought together councils, charities, the private hospitality sector and community groups with the joint aim of protecting some of the most vulnerable people in society from COVID-19, and helping them turn around their lives and get them off the streets for good. It has come during one of the most challenging periods we have ever faced as a nation. The announcement comes as plans to provide 6,000 long-term, safe homes continue at pace, to ensure the work being done to take society’s most vulnerable off the streets during the pandemic has a lasting impact.
Last month, the government unveiled plans to support thousands of rough sleepers currently housed in emergency accommodation to move on to more sustainable, long-term housing, with 3,300 additional supported homes to be provided this year. A further £16 million is also being provided so that vulnerable people currently in emergency accommodation can access they specialist help they need for substance misuse issues, in order to rebuild their lives and move towards work and education.
Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: “In recent months, I have seen a huge effort across the country to keep almost 15,000 vulnerable people off the streets. This has been vital to ensure their safety during the peak of the pandemic and has changed the lives of thousands for the better. The additional funding announced today will allow us to continue to support these individuals – giving them access to the accommodation and support they need now while we continue with plans to deliver thousands of long-term homes in the coming months.”
“Together, this takes the funding provided by government for vulnerable rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming homeless to over half a billion this year – an unprecedented commitment as we move towards ending rough sleeping for good. The money will provide interim accommodation, helping people sleeping rough to secure their own tenancies as well as provide short-term accommodation, while the delivery of long-term housing continues.”
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said: “This is a critical intervention. Hotels and other emergency accommodation sourced during lockdown were mostly due to close at the end of June, with a real risk of people returning to the streets as councils came under extreme time and resource pressure to find alternative housing.”
“If executed swiftly, this will undoubtedly prevent many from being forced back into rough sleeping and enable support to continue and trusting relationships to be built. However, once again it is an interim measure only. It will be vital that appropriate long-term housing and support provision is organised swiftly – and for everyone – to ensure that people are able to leave rough sleeping behind them for good.”
“This must be achieved alongside a focus on tackling the underlying causes of homelessness, and supporting those becoming newly homeless, including people with no recourse to public funds. Without this broader approach, we risk a rise in rough sleeping just as we increase efforts to end it.”
