Richard Holden, Member of Parliament for North West Durham, has today welcomed the news that Durham County Council (DCC) is set to receive a huge £753,013 through the Government’s Homelessness Prevention Grant for 2021/22.
The grant follows recent support put in place to protect the most vulnerable, including ensuring rough sleepers are registered with GPs, preventing bailiff-enforced evictions until February and the launch of an additional £10 million fund, as part of the £700 million funding for homelessness and rough sleeping, to ensure safe accommodation for rough sleepers. Registering rough sleepers with GPs means that they will have easier access to the coronavirus vaccine.
The grant that DCC will receive comes with the flexibility for the council to use it however they see fit in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.
You can read about further support for those who are homeless or sleeping rough here, here and read further about the Government announcements and assistance here.
Commenting, Richard Holden, Member of Parliament for North West Durham, said:
“During this difficult time, it is vital that the Government helps communities across the UK. I am delighted that Durham County Council will be receiving over three quarters of a million to go towards helping some of society’s most vulnerable. This money will go an extremely long way in ensuring that people get the support they need, emergency accommodation is made available and people have a roof over their heads.
“The Government has already supported tens of thousands of people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, with 23,000 people across the country already placed in longer-term accommodation.
“I want to thank the Government for supporting our communities, and will continue to work with both the local council and my Parliamentary colleagues to ensure that all our constituents have the support, whether financial or otherwise, that they deserve.”
You can sign up to Richard’s newsletter and hear more about the work he is doing for North West Durham here or by using the form on this page.