The government has announced a threefold increase in its Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Fund, allocating £30 million to councils across the UK.
The government has announced a significant boost to its Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding, tripling the allocation from £10 million to £30 million to provide critical support for rough sleepers during the harsh winter months.
The emergency funding, revealed this week, aims to tackle rising levels of rough sleeping across the country by increasing access to emergency accommodation. Over 280 local councils, including all London boroughs, will receive a share of the funds to support vulnerable individuals with warm beds, hot meals, and essential medical care.
This initiative comes in response to the heightened risks faced by rough sleepers during winter. According to health experts, people experiencing homelessness are 8 to 12 times more likely to die prematurely, often due to chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Exposure to freezing conditions further exacerbates these risks, making immediate action vital.
This boost aims to provide warm beds, hot meals, and vital care for rough sleepers, while also supporting long-term solutions to tackle homelessness.
Boost for Frontline Services
The funding will enable councils to expand and enhance their frontline services. This includes supporting outreach teams who help individuals transition from the streets to safe accommodation. Councils will also provide specialised assistance for vulnerable groups such as veterans, care leavers, and victims of domestic abuse.
Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali, highlighted the importance of the funding, stating:
“Behind every sad rough sleeping statistic, there is a person who has been let down by the system for far too long. This government is more determined than ever to turn the tide on years of failure to properly invest in our frontline services.
“That is why I am tripling the emergency funding from £10 million to £30 million for councils to help the most vulnerable into safe and secure housing with warm beds, hot meals, and specialist care.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are already taking urgent action to tackle the worst housing crisis in living memory, delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation and getting us back on track to end homelessness for good.”
“Behind every rough sleeping statistic is a person let down by the system for far too long.”
– Rushanara Ali, Minister for Homelessness
Addressing a Growing Crisis
The move comes amid a sharp rise in homelessness across the UK. In the past year alone, nearly 360,000 households have approached their councils for assistance due to homelessness, highlighting the severity of the housing crisis.
The government’s Plan for Change, which underpins this funding boost, aims to address systemic issues contributing to homelessness. Alongside emergency funding, nearly £1 billion has been invested in homelessness prevention services this year, including over £185 million allocated to the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant.
Additionally, the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, backed by more than £37 million, will help secure long-term housing for rough sleepers while addressing underlying issues such as mental health challenges and substance abuse.
Long-Term Reforms in Focus
The government is also pursuing structural reforms to tackle the root causes of homelessness. A newly formed Inter-Ministerial Group will coordinate efforts across healthcare, justice, and education systems to develop a cohesive long-term strategy.
One of the key reforms includes the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, a leading cause of homelessness, through the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill. This legislation is expected to provide stronger protections for tenants and reduce the number of households at risk of eviction.
In addition, the government has allocated £450 million to help councils build and secure homes for families at risk of homelessness. This complements the Affordable Homes Programme, which has received an extra £500 million this year to deliver tens of thousands of affordable homes nationwide.
A Commitment to Ending Homelessness
The government’s increased investment in housing now totals £5 billion for 2024-25. This financial commitment reflects a broader strategy to address the housing crisis, raise living standards, and strengthen support for vulnerable populations.
With winter approaching, the emergency funding injection offers a lifeline to thousands of rough sleepers across the UK. By bolstering local councils’ resources and focusing on long-term solutions, the government aims to reduce homelessness and ensure that everyone has access to safe and secure housing.
As Minister Ali emphasised, the fight against homelessness is far from over: “This funding is a critical step forward, but we must continue to address the systemic issues that lead to rough sleeping. Our goal is clear – to end homelessness for good.”
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