A new £442 million government funding package has been announced to help people sleeping rough move off the streets and into accommodation this winter.
The programme, announced by Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner in her role as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, aims to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets by Christmas.
The funding forms part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to ending rough sleeping and includes emergency accommodation alongside practical support with housing, health and other needs.
The Government says the package will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 settled homes over the next three years, with intensive support intended to help people move towards more stable lives.
Areas experiencing the greatest pressures from rough sleeping are set to receive the largest share of the funding, while communities across England will receive support to tackle homelessness locally.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been allocated £6,104,570 from the funding package to support efforts to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness across the region.
Councils and Mayors will have a leading role in deciding how the funding is used in their areas, with the Government also publishing guidance aimed at helping local authorities establish provision quickly ahead of winter.
The guidance places particular emphasis on support for women experiencing rough sleeping, who the Government says can be underrepresented in official figures and may face increased risks of violence, abuse and exploitation.
It encourages local areas to consider single-sex accommodation alongside specialist and trauma-informed support for women who have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence.
A further £8.4 million will go towards the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, taking total funding announced for 100 projects to £47 million over three years. The fund supports charities, faith groups and community organisations working with people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
The Prime Minister is also due to host a national summit in the autumn, bringing together representatives from business, finance, charities, health and faith communities to discuss how different parts of society can contribute to reducing rough sleeping.
Angela Rayner said the Government was moving from a commitment to action.
“This funding will help thousands of people leave the streets behind, move into secure homes and get the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
She added that councils, Mayors and charities would be supported to tackle the causes of rough sleeping and provide people with “security, dignity and opportunity”.
Andy Burnham said no one should have to sleep outside and called for communities and organisations across society to play their part alongside government.
The announcement builds on £340 million of funding announced in July to support new settled accommodation for people who have been sleeping rough long-term.
The Government says the additional £102 million announced now will fund immediate routes off the streets this winter and further support beyond the winter period, bringing the total package to £442 million.
The Government has said the package will be funded from uncommitted budgets within the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).