Our MP Dean Russell met with the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, to discuss housing and local government concerns
Dean is delighted that Watford Borough Council will receive £235,240 and Three Rivers District Council will receive £35,940 to help vulnerable people who were housed during COVID19 to stay in accommodation this year.
More than £90 million of funding has been allocated by Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick to help thousands of vulnerable people who were housed during the pandemic to stay in accommodation this year.
274 local councils will share £91.5 million of government funding to ensure interim accommodation and support for the most vulnerable people, including by helping people into the private rented sector, secure interim accommodation such as supported housing, and assess the wider support these people need in order to rebuild their lives. An additional £13.5 million fund will be used to enable local authorities to tackle new or emerging challenges.
Separately, applications are now being considered for a further £161 million fund intended to provide over 3,300 additional supported homes this year for those sleeping rough or currently housed in emergency accommodation. The bidding has now closed and details on successful bids will be announced in due course. This is part of broader support to provide 6,000 such homes over four years.
The Next Steps Accommodation Programme is part of the government’s landmark commitment to end rough sleeping for good.
Secretary of State for Housing, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said "the incredible national effort to support rough sleepers during the pandemic has protected many lives and is widely regarded as one of the most successful programmes of its kind in the world. I’m hugely grateful to all those involved. This funding will ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have safe accommodation and the care and support they need, to ensure as few as possible return to the streets."