Rough sleepers are set to benefit from a new government initiative that will see them given a roof over their head and specifically tailored support that will encourage them to rebuild their lives. The cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy is backed by £2 billion and is building upon the existing framework from government action, which has already achieved a 43% drop in rough sleeping since 2019.
The £2 billion has been dedicated for the duration of this existing parliament, with funding allocations currently totalling £764 million. £500 million has been allocated to the Rough Sleeping initiative over the course of three years, which aims to provide 14,000 beds for rough sleepers and 3,000 staff to provide tailored support across England by the end of this year.
A further new £200 million Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme will also provide an extra 2,400 long-term supported homes for those with the most complex needs. This exciting news accompanies the 3,200 existing homes that have been delivered.
A major component of people being reduced to rough sleeping is often the devastating cycle of addiction that damages lives every day across the UK. To break these cycles, the government plans to expand its existing Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant programme to an additional 20 areas in England, totalling 83. This scheme aims to provide funding and treatment for those misusing addictive substances, hoping to tackle the issue at its core.
The Rough Sleeping Initiative 2022 to 2025 funding allocation for Kirklees will provide £1,069,643 over the three-year period.
Kirklees Conservatives Leader Cllr David Hall said:
I am delighted that Kirklees is one of the local authorities to receive ongoing investment to help provide a reduction in rough sleeping. It demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to tackling this important and complex issue. This involves not only putting a roof over people’s heads but helping people to deal with the many issues they may have faced throughout their lives, putting them on a healthy and sustainable path for the future.
For more information, please contact David Hall on 07719673194.
