STORY
Homelessness charity Crisis has welcomed the Government’s new £442 million Rough Sleeping Programme, which aims to ensure that everyone sleeping rough in England is offered a route off the streets before Christmas. The programme combines immediate accommodation and support this winter with longer term settled housing and intensive support for people who have experienced prolonged rough sleeping. More than 1,000 settled homes are expected to be provided over the next three years.
Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said the announcement represented a significant commitment to ending rough sleeping and welcomed the funding for more permanent homes. He said getting people off the streets and into secure accommodation could save lives, pointing to the increased risks of illness, violence and abuse faced by people sleeping rough. Crisis said emergency accommodation should be accompanied by a clear route into settled housing and appropriate support.
The Government has added £102 million to £340 million announced in July, taking the overall package to £442 million over three years. Local authorities and Mayoral Strategic Authorities will lead delivery, with areas facing the greatest pressures receiving the largest share of funding. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also announced an autumn summit bringing together charities, businesses, faith organisations, health services and other groups to consider their role in reducing rough sleeping. Crisis said it was ready to work with the Government on delivering the programme ahead of Christmas.