Bath and North East Somerset Council is one of many local authorities to benefit from a government handout of over £46 million to help get people off the streets and into accommodation.
Don’t get too excited though. This money has to be shared out over 246 areas nationwide to pay for additional staff and outreach and accommodation services – including over 2,600 new beds in total.
B&NES gets £360,160, North Somerset £164,372 and Wiltshire £298,549 with £255,125 for Swindon. Bristol gets £517,773.
The money forms part of the government’s £100 million Rough Sleeping Strategy and will be used to fund rough sleeping coordinator roles, add new or additional outreach services and extend existing or provide new temporary accommodation. This includes night shelters and hostel spaces.
There is also an opportunity to provide housing-led solutions such as Housing First services.
This funding includes £34 million for the 83 Rough Sleeping Areas and an additional £12 million for other areas of the country. .
