Maria Miller MP for Basingstoke has welcomed additional funding of £ 703,504 for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. This funding is part of the Government’s Homelessness Prevention Grant commitment to ending rough sleeping in this Parliament and to fully enforcing the Homelessness Reduction Act.
Maria said “I welcome this additional funding, our Borough Council already does fantastic work on homelessness and takes innovative approach with partners through the Social Inclusion Partnership. The partnership is made up of public services, commissioned housing providers, voluntary and faith-based groups and former rough sleepers and has been working together since 2015 to reduce homelessness and address the causes of homelessness with a shared vision.
This additional funding gives local authorities more control and flexibility in managing homelessness pressures and supporting those who are at risk of homelessness.”
The Government has also confirmed that the Rough Sleeping Initiative will continue to run in 2021/22, commencing its fourth year of funding in April 2021. Whilst further work is required before confirming specific allocations for each area for next year, all local authorities will receive at least the same levels of funding as they received under the Rough Sleeping Initiative 3 (20/21).
To deliver long-term accommodation for rough sleepers, the Government will be spending over £750 million next year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
This investment builds on this year’s spend of more than £700 million on rough sleeping and homelessness, with the ongoing ‘Everyone In’ campaign helping to protect thousands of lives during the pandemic by housing rough sleepers in safe accommodation.