Funding boost to tackle rough sleeping in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is set to benefit from an extra £400,000 from the Government to tackle homelessness.

The funding is part of a £112m government funding for councils to deal with the issue of rough sleeping.

This funding is a 30% increase this year and will be used by local authorities, charities and other organisations to fund up to 6,000 new bed spaces and 2,500 support staff across the country.

The government says this will help vulnerable rough sleepers get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

It could mean a roof over their head, access to specialist mental health or addiction services, or advice on how to secure a home in the long term.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said: “No-one should have to face a night on the street and we have a moral duty to support those who need help the most. It is encouraging to see more people getting the support they need, but there is always more to do.

“We are focusing relentlessly on this issue and our efforts have already led to the first nationwide fall in rough sleeping in a decade – and the areas funded by our Rough Sleeping Initiative have seen rough sleeping numbers fall around a third more than they would be without this vital programme, but we need to go further.

“That is why we are providing this funding so vital work can continue as we set out to end rough sleeping once and for all.

Homelessness Minister Luke Hall said:”There are people all over the country working tirelessly to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.

“Our Rough Sleeping Initiative is proving to be successful, and this funding will mean this vital work can be continued as we set out to end rough sleeping once and for all.”

The Rough Sleeping Initiative was launched in 2018 to ensure local areas were given the boost they needed to provide these vital services for those living on the streets.

This will give people access to a roof over their head when they need it most – as well as the help they need to recover from a life on the streets.

The funding will be used by councils to:

Create street-based services including outreach teams who will locate and support rough sleepers directly on the streets and offer them access to services

Establish first stage accommodation such as hostels, Somewhere Safe to Stay hubs and emergency access beds which provide warm and dry shelter, rapid assessment, and support to people who are already – or at risk of – sleeping rough

Set up housing support providing stable, affordable accommodation and intensive wrap-around support to help people who are sleeping rough recover from complex issues and sustain their tenancies

Introduce specialist support workers including Rough Sleeping Coordinators, navigators, and specialist health and care staff

The funding follows the Prime Minister’s drive to tackle homelessness and the announcement of over £260 million for local authorities. This will help people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes improve their lives and get back on their feet.