Thousands of people will be prevented from falling into homelessness and sleeping rough on the streets thanks to over £260million committed by the Prime Minister today (Monday) – which includes an allocation of £666,063 for the Isle of Wight.
The funding will empower councils across England to provide the best services for local needs, helping those experiencing homelessness in their area to improve their lives and get back on their feet.
Councils can use the funding to employ specialists to provide practical advice to vulnerable people to help ensure they are meeting their rent payments, as well as helping them to find long-term stable accommodation.
Visiting a rough sleeping shelter in London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“It cannot be right in the 21st century that people are homeless or having to sleep on our streets, and this Government will work tirelessly to bring this to an end.
“This new funding is going to help councils provide better support to homeless people, and importantly, prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.
“But we have got to do even more, and we’re committed to expanding rough sleeping and homelessness programmes, and ensuring more integrated working between our local health and housing services.”
Homelessness Minister Luke Hall MP said:
“It is not right that there are people in the South East who do not have a safe and secure place to live – some having to rely on the goodwill of friends for a roof over their head, or at worst face a night on the streets.
“This funding will give the South East’s local authorities the freedom to provide the services which work for local people in their areas and tackle the often complex issues which lead to homelessness need specialist support.
“This government will ensure those at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping are supported and have somewhere safe to live.”
The Government has also confirmed the Cold Weather Fund will receive an additional £3million, taking the total to £13million, to enhance support available for rough sleepers during the winter period.
This new action forms part of a wider strategy to tackle all forms of homelessness. The Government is already investing £1.2billion to tackle homelessness, and last year introduced ambitious new legislation, the Homelessness Reduction Act to ensure people at risk of becoming homeless get help more quickly, with councils receiving funding to support them in these duties.
Of the money announced today, the first £200million comes from the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant, introduced in 2017, to lead to a radical change in the way councils were providing support to those at risk of homelessness.
The remaining funding, the £63million Homelessness Reduction Grant, will go to councils to fulfil their duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act, which came into force last year, to help homeless households into accommodation. The Act requires public bodies, such as hospitals, prisons and social services, to refer people who may be threatened with homelessness to a housing authority.
I am sure £665,000 of that with go straight in the back pocket. As we all pay council tax and see absolutely nothing in return. These poor people get stepped over by this lot and the iow council should be held accountable for gross miss conduct to human rights. Instead they are allowed to carry on.
Let’s hope it spent wisely and not wasted
Instead of tackling “homelessness” why doesn’t the government/social services tackle some of the leading causes?
Addiction such as gambling, kleptomania and anti social behaviour disorder would contribute to a less than wholesome life, which could in turn lead to someone living on the streets…
Shame it’s going to the council…it’ll disappear. It should have been paid to the Salvation Army, there sterling work helps many and never stops.
The Salvation Army have done some sterling work assisted by the Priory, Carisbrooke.
Would be great if it actually gets spent on what it’s allocated for, the IW council have already received funding in recent years for this cause and so far they can not give a licence to put the homeless bus on. The money will be lost in bad business management sadly