Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, has welcomed the news that £105 million has been provided to help keep rough sleepers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the beginning of the lockdown, 15,000 people have been taken off the streets and given accommodation by the Government, which has been a crucial step in keeping them safe. The £105 million will be used to support rough sleepers and those who are at risk of becoming homeless with the next steps, including helping with deposits for accommodation. The funding will also be used to secure alternative rooms that are already available, such as university accommodation. The Government is working with councils, charities and the hospitality sector to ensure that vulnerable people can be supported, kept safe and found accommodation.
This follows recent Government funding that was given to charities that work with and support rough sleepers and those who are at a severe risk of becoming homeless. £18,000 was given to Cornerstone Supported Housing and Counselling in Willington. You can read about this here.
This funding is part of continued Government support for rough sleepers and means that, overall this year, over half a billion pounds has been spent to support rough sleepers as the Government moves towards ending rough sleeping. For full details please see here.
Commenting, Richard said ‘This announcement is absolutely brilliant news for those who are some of the most vulnerable in society. The past few months have been difficult for us all, and especially for those who do not have a safe space to go to or those who do not have the support that others may have. In North West Durham, funding has been provided to charities that work with the homeless and I will continue to do all I can to help. Crucially, this funding will help long-term as it provides people with long-term accommodation and support and this is part of the Government’s pledge to end homelessness.’
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