Hundreds of families in Truro and Falmouth will be prevented from becoming homeless and rough sleepers will be helped off the streets thanks to £3,859,550 as part of a £220 million of government funding package being given to councils today.
The Minister for Housing and Homelessness Felicity Buchan has announced the funding boost which targets areas most in need and includes specialist support for the most vulnerable who require mental health or substance misuse support.
Further to this, more funding has been announced including:
• £107 million to provide more than 800 homes for rough sleepers. The money is being made available immediately to councils to purchase or rent properties to give rough sleepers a safe space to stay whilst they rebuild their lives off the streets.
• A £109 million boost to the Homelessness Prevention Grant, the funding can be used by councils to prevent evictions before they occur or fund temporary accommodation. Bringing the total fund to £1.2 billion, with more than 160,000 people supported since the scheme opened in 2022.
• A further £6 million to boost the number off-street spaces for rough sleepers in winter, to provide warm and safe places to sleep and access services.
Today’s funding boost builds on the Government’s strategy to tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping for good.
Cherilyn says:
“Homelessness is a serious problem and one which is all too frequent across Cornwall. I am glad that the Government are acting with serious funding which will go a long way to help rough sleepers off the street and prevent homelessness.
“We must seek to continue our ‘prevention first’ approach on preventing people from sleeping rough in the first place across our community.
“Only this Conservative Government has a plan to help families across the country, including the most vulnerable people get the support they need.”
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Felicity Buchan MP said:
“We are working alongside councils and charities to do all we can to help rough sleepers off the streets and to prevent homelessness.
“Today’s announcement brings the total funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping to an unprecedented £2.4 billion, meaning we can help thousands of the most vulnerable people and give them the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
