We welcome welcome news that a total of £408,545 has been allocated to City of York Council as part of the Government’s Homelessness Prevention Grant Funding.
The local area is set to receive £408,545 in 2023/24 and a further £430,080 in 2024/25 to prevent more people from becoming homeless or sleeping rough in the area.
This continuation of the Grant follows funding for York worth £392,145 in 2022/23, as well as a country-wide £50 million top-up announced in December.
The funding is designed to target areas with high levels of homelessness, including those living in temporary accommodation. Allocated money can be used flexibly by councils to deliver on their homelessness and rough sleeping strategies, such as the offer of financial support for people to find a new home, temporary accommodation, working with landlords to prevent evictions and other measures.
The Grant, worth a total of £654 million over 2023/34 and 2024/25, is the latest step in the Government’s commitment to end rough sleeping, which was 49% lower in 2021 than the peak in 2017.
Total funding for the Homelessness Prevention Grant includes £24 million to increase support to homeless domestic abuse victims. This will help local authorities give priority need for accommodation, ensuring victims do not remain with their abuser for fear of not having a roof over their head.
Also announced in December was OPERATION Fortitude, a £8.5 million scheme to end veteran homelessness in 2023. The funding will provide more than 900 veteran supported housing units across England, with specialist health, education and employment assistance for former armed forces personnel. Veterans can access the scheme through a dedicated charity helpline, on the number 01748 833797.
Rishi Sunak, The Prime Minister, commented: "The Government is determined to end rough sleeping and tackle homelessness. We know that words alone are not enough. That is why Government is investing £2 billion over the next three years to give some of the most vulnerable people a roof over their heads, along with targeted support to rebuild their lives.
"This announcement will provide vital support to families who are at risk of rough sleeping, including by providing temporary accommodation and helping with deposits."
