The Government has announced it is providing a further £105 million to support local authorities in ensuring that people currently accommodated in emergency accommodation do not return to the streets.
In March, the Government asked local authorities to bring ‘Everyone In’ and as a result, there are nearly 15,000 people accommodated in emergency accommodation, including those who have come directly from the streets, people previously housed in shared night shelters and people who have become vulnerable to homelessness and rough sleeping during the pandemic. This action, enabling vulnerable people to self-isolate, has undoubtably saved countless lives.
Working closely with Public Health England and NHS England, the Government has taken this unique opportunity to ensure that arrangements are in place in local areas to support people in this accommodation, and that basic health needs of symptomatic and asymptomatic rough sleepers are met. This includes ensuring they are registered with their GPs, and that substance misuse and mental health assessments are carried out where appropriate. We are currently working on co-producing plans with local authorities to ensure sustainable move on from emergency accommodation.
The additional funding announced can be used to implement a range of support interventions for people who have been supported into emergency accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cherilyn Mackrory, Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth, said:
“I am delighted to see millions more in funding to help eradicate rough sleeping across the UK.”
“Cornwall Council has done a tremendous job in quickly housing nearly every rough sleeper in Cornwall at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I hope that this money will allow them and their providers to continue to build on this work and ensure that rough sleeping is ended in Truro and Falmouth.”
“I am proud to be a part of a Government standing under a manifesto that set out clearly our bold ambition to end rough sleeping within this Parliament. I remain firmly committed to that goal.”