Thousands of people living on the streets will be given a roof over their heads and tailored support to rebuild their lives under Government plans to end rough sleeping.
The cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy is backed by £2 billion and builds on the significant action already taken by the Government. Rough sleeping has fallen to an 8-year low according to the annual rough sleeping statistics published in February 2022 . As a result England now one of the lowest rough sleeping rates in the world.
Full details of how the £2 billion will be allocated are not yet available however as part of the strategy the Government are announcing allocations for areas in England for a range of key initiatives. Harrogate Borough Council is receiving an allocation of £743,000 from the Rough Sleeping Initiative. The cash will be used to provide new support workers who will provide ‘wrap-around’ care for those in danger of or experiencing homelessness.
To break the cycle of addiction and rough sleeping, the Government is also expanding its Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant programme. The scheme provides funding for substance misuse treatment services for people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, said “I meet with charities such as the Harrogate Homeless Project regularly and they make a real difference to people’s lives. This new funding will support that work and I look forward to hearing how the funding will help people in our area.
“I am pleased to see the expansion of the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment programme to help break the cycle of addiction and rough sleeping and provide support for people to rebuild their lives. Getting people off the streets and into homes is important but tackling the underlying problems – like addiction, poor mental and physical health and family breakdown – is an essential part of tackling rough sleeping and homelessness. That is why funding for these schemes is so important.”
Community News 