Council to receive further funding for homelessness prevention and rough sleeping services

Shropshire Council has been awarded significant funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to support homelessness prevention and rough sleeping services for the next financial year.

The funding, totalling £2,855,330, is part of the government’s broader initiative to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping across the UK and a continuation of previous funding streams.

A full breakdown of the funding includes a Homelessness Prevention Grant of £1,552,092, a
Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant of £399,104 and a Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant totalling £904,134.

Shropshire Council says it will utilise the funding to continue the work of the council’s Homelessness Prevention team that was established earlier this year. The team can continue its work to act early to prevent individuals and families losing their home and becoming homeless and will look to build on initiatives to strengthen the Council’s focus on preventing homelessness.

The funding will allow the council to continue with the work already being undertaken and further enhance its work to support rough sleepers; to address any issues that are preventing those rough sleeping from moving into accommodation; and finding pathways into permanent accommodation with support to ensure that the accommodation is sustained. The rough sleeping service and the voluntary sector partners have had some great successes in getting people off the street, getting help to those who may need specialist support and help them to sustain long term accommodation.

The Council will also continue to support RESET, a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), to provide holistic wrap-around support and drug and alcohol treatment for people rough sleeping and those at risk of rough sleeping across the county.

Councillor Dean Carroll, Cabinet Member for housing and assets said:

“Shropshire Council welcomes the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant Funding announced yesterday by the MHCLG. This announcement confirms that the services currently funded can be maintained.

“Shropshire has seen a big increase in presentations as homeless. Rising demand has come off the back of the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, which have led to severe pressures on household incomes, family relationships and individuals’ mental health.

“We remain committed to tackling all forms of homelessness and look forward to utilising this funding to make a significant impact in the community.”

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet Member for adult social care and public health added.

“Individuals experiencing rough sleeping and substance misuse issues often face challenges in accessing appropriate services, resulting in deteriorating health conditions.

“The Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant will support the county in meeting the intended outcomes of the national drug strategy by helping to reduce drug-related deaths, reducing alcohol-related hospital admissions and increasing the number of successful individuals in treatment.

“Through this funding, we can continue to collaborate with partners to provide enhanced support to rough sleepers and those at risk.”