More rough sleepers are set to be helped off the streets and into safe accommodation with a further £203 million funding, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced today (15 May 2021).
Almost £4million of this will be shared across all councils in Nottinghamshire.
The funding will be allocated to councils across England and will support vital projects such as shelters, specialist mental health or addiction services, and targeted support to help rough sleepers off the streets for good.
It will be used by councils, charities and other local groups to fund up to 14,500 bed spaces and 2,700 support staff across England.
Analysis of the Rough Sleeping Initiative – now in its fourth year – shows that the programme has reduced rough sleeping by almost a third compared to areas which have not taken part in the programme.
Building on the past success of the programme, funding has almost doubled this year and will provide additional support to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of people sleeping rough across England has fallen for the third year in a row, and by 37% in the last year alone.
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
“At the beginning of the pandemic we took swift and decisive action to bring rough sleepers in from the streets and settled them into longer-term accommodation in record numbers. That work continues, the results are clear and are a huge credit to all involved.
Ending rough sleeping is a personal mission for the Prime Minister and me – and we have made huge progress since he came into No.10, reducing rough sleeping by 43%.
To build on this progress, we are making the biggest ever investment under the Rough Sleeping Initiative to provide vital services to those who need it most, as part of our drive to end rough sleeping for good.”
An example of how the fund has been used previously include Mansfield District Council, who alongside Action Housing, have set up an allotment project for residents currently living in temporary accommodation. In recent months, support workers have purchased outdoor clothing and equipment for residents to help them plant what they want.
How the money is allocated
Ashfield District Council £25,000
Bassetlaw District – £5,000
Broxtowe Borough Council – £60,000
Gedling Borough Council – £25,000
Mansfield District Council – £392,289
Newark & Sherwood District Counci – £25,000
Nottingham City Council – £2,068,790
Nottinghamshire County Council – £1,277,900
Rushcliffe Borough Council £25,000
Total – £3,903,979
• Number of rough sleepers in Nottingham city down 80% on last year as national figures hit 6-year low
