REDDITCH Borough Council has received a £100,000 funding boost to help rough sleepers off the streets for good.
The cash will support vital projects such as night shelters, specialist mental health or addiction services, and targeted advice support.
Rachel Maclean MP for Redditch has welcomed the funding.
“By giving councils the funding they need, the Government has shown it is absolutely determined to end rough sleeping, and this funding will do this by providing additional bed spaces and vital services such as night shelters and addiction support services in Redditch,” she said.
“There is still more to do, and I’ll be working with the council and local organisations to ensure the additional funds are spent locally in the most effective way, to cut rough sleeping.”
The money is part of a £750million package to tackle homelessness in a drive to end rough sleeping by 2024.
Analysis of the Rough Sleeping Initiative – now in its fourth year – shows the programme has reduced rough sleeping by almost a third compared to areas which have not taken part in the programme.
Building on this success, funding has almost doubled this year and will provide additional support to help those affected by the pandemic.
Councillor Matt Dormer, Leader of Redditch Borough Council, added: “Redditch Borough Council has done an outstanding job getting rough sleepers of the streets and into emergency accommodation during this pandemic.
“Their hard work and dedication has ensured all rough sleepers in Redditch are housed.
“This extra funding will enable us to continue to do everything we can to ensure rough sleepers do not return to the streets.
“We’re determined to end rough sleeping once and for all.”
