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Swale council will receive more than £200,000 from central government to continue tackling rough sleeping in the borough.
The funds are part of the Rough Sleeping Initiative, which is designed to get people off the streets and into safe and secure accommodation, and will see authorities across the country sharing a £112 million pot.
The initiative has reduced the number of vulnerable people sleeping rough in the areas it has been operating by 32% since its introduction in 2018 and is part of the government’s strategy to end rough sleeping completely by 2024.
Swale’s share is £218,320 this year – it received £150,000 in 2019 – and will continue the work already under way.
A council spokesman said: “Since receiving funding from the government to support homelessness and rough sleeping we have helped 59 people get off the streets and find permanent housing, formed a rough sleeper support team, hired a full-time team coordinator based at the council, recruited trained Porchlight staff to be part of the rough sleeper support team, including a full-time complex needs worker, and a full time and part time outreach and in-reach workers.”
Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson said he was delighted the funding to tackle rough sleeping in Swale would increase.
He said: “Solving the borough’s problem of rough sleeping is one of the priorities of Swale council and I am happy to work with councillors to ensure this funding is used in the most effective way.”
Following the announcement, last month, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said no-one should have to face a night on the street and the government had a moral duty to support those who need help the most.
He added: “It is encouraging to see authorities like Swale council using the funds we have already provided to provide some people with the support they need, but there is much more to do. That is why we are providing this funding, so that vital work can continue as we set out to end rough sleeping once and for all.”
