Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to provide further funding to combat rough sleeping this winter.
James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has recently announced a Cold Weather Fund – an investment up to £5 million for local authorities to tackle the winter months up to March 2019.
This is a part of the Government’s wider Rough Sleeping Initiative, with the aim to half rough sleeping by 2022, and full eradication by 2027. Other schemes include the Rapid Rehousing Pathway initiative to ease rough sleepers into accommodation, which includes needs assessment, collaboration with letting agents and help to navigate local services for those affected. Another scheme gives £20 million to help those who are deemed vulnerable to homelessness into housing. In addition, there is further money available to Homes England to construct or purchase ‘second stage’ accommodation exclusively for homeless people.
Maria said, “I am delighted with the Government’s recent announcement. Not only has the Government committed to meeting the immediate needs of those living on our streets, but are investing in programmes that will help to tackle homelessness at source.”
“I am pleased that the Government has made the bold pledge to end the great injustice of rough sleeping and they have my full support in their good efforts.”