Rebecca Harris MP welcomes the Government’s announcement today of extra support for rough sleepers across England as the Government continues to leave no stone unturned in our mission to end rough sleeping for good by the end of this Parliament.
Throughout the pandemic the Government have supported thousands of rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness through our landmark ‘Everyone In’ programme which has kept people safe and off the streets.
While our efforts have protected thousands of lives, breaking the cycle of rough sleeping for good often means tackling alcohol or drug misuse, which is why the Government are providing £23 million this year and £52 million in 2021-22 for services like detox and rehabilitation support that will ensure vulnerable people can rebuild their lives and get on the road to recovery.
Locally, Rebecca is pleased that Southend will be receiving £317,818 as part of the Government’s substance misuse fund.
Rough sleepers who are being provided with emergency accommodation during the pandemic as part of the Government’s ‘Everyone In’ programme, and people who are currently rough sleeping, will be eligible for support.
Protect Programme
The Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing has also confirmed today an initial £10 million funding for 19 areas, plus the Greater London Authority, under the Government’s £15 million ‘Protect Programme’. This is to provide accommodation for rough sleepers during the pandemic in areas that required extra support during the restrictions and throughout winter.
Government’s Ongoing Commitment
This year alone, the Government are investing more than £700 million on rough sleeping and homelessness, underlining our determination to support some of our most vulnerable citizens and delivering the promise we made at the last election to end rough sleeping for good.
For anymore information on the Government’s extra help for Rough Sleepers with Drug and Alcohol Dependency, including all of the local authroities included in the programme, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-help-for-rough-sleepers-with-drug-and-alcohol-dependency.
