“It is good the Government continues to support councils with this latest round of funding to tackle rough sleeping."
Responding to the announcement of a further £203 million for councils to help rough sleepers off the streets and into safe accommodation, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said:
“It is good the Government continues to support councils with this latest round of funding to tackle rough sleeping. We want to work with government on a cross-departmental homelessness prevention strategy to make the success in getting rough sleepers off the streets during the pandemic the new normal, rather than a one-off emergency response, and end rough sleeping.
“To prevent homelessness from happening in the first place, councils will need long-term funding issued through multi-year settlements to give them the certainty they need to plan local services.
“There should also be a renewed focus on investing in homelessness prevention services, ensuring councils have the resources to support households at risk of homelessness, including restoration of welfare funding to at least £250 million a year and a review of the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme. Clear guidance on whether councils can support homeless adults with No Recourse to Public Funds as we move through the roadmap will also help to ensure that everyone who is vulnerable can access help if needed, regardless of immigration status.”