84 million to tackle homelessness

The government has announced £84 million to prevent homelessness and support families over the winter.

Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised, with the funding to be used to help families cover essentials like food, school travel and laundry.

There are currently record numbers of households in temporary accomodation, including 170,000 children. Levels of rough sleeping have more than doubled since 2010.

Areas with the highest pressures will be prioritised, like London. 

The investment will provide tailored services for those experiencing long-term rough sleeping, including mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment and sustainable accommodation.

There will be nearly 70 million for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant - flexible funding for 62 local authorities to prevent people sleeping rough and help them to stay of the streets.

£11 million will be invested to help families with children living in temporary accommodation access basic facilities like Wi-Fi, laundry, travel passes for school and uniform, and help pay for food and leisure activities.

There's a 3 million increase for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment element of the wider Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Recovery and Improvement Grant. This will be directed to 83 local authorities and a pan-London project.

Homelessness Minister, Alison McGovern said: "You can’t have a decent life without a decent home. Whether it’s rough sleeping or sofa surfing or, at its worst, children stuck in B&Bs, homelessness in the UK has been too high for too long.  

"This has to stop. Through our Plan for Change, the UK will build homes and get help to those who need it to put a roof over their head.

"We’re providing extra cash now to address a crisis made over the past decade. Both the government’s £39bn to build social and affordable homes and the Child Poverty Strategy to come will tackle the root causes of this problem, but we need action now to stop homelessness getting any worse."

Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "This funding is very welcome, especially as winter approaches and with homelessness rising. More people are likely to face the prospect of sleeping on cold streets and need support urgently. More parents will be working out how to help their children do homework from cramped and draughty temporary accommodation.

"We know that targeted support can make a big difference and help people take their first steps out of homelessness.

"We hope this announcement marks another step towards an ambitious homelessness strategy. Alongside a concerted effort to build social housing at scale, and ensuring all parts of Government make their contribution to ending homelessness, we can create a safer and more prosperous future for people and families across the country."