James Evison 18 October 2016

New £20m council funding pot for homelessness prevention

Local authorities are to receive £20m for a new homeless prevention strategy to pilot initiatives on the issue, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced.

The funding pot, jointly announced by prime minister Theresa May and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, comes from a new, larger £40m programme to tackle homelessness through prevention.

The £20m for councils is aimed at responding to the specific needs of communities and focusing on prevention at an earlier stage before families reach ‘crisis point'.

The scheme aims to assist those working with a wider group of at-risk people to help individuals and families before homelessness occurs through plans such as a new resident advice service and outreach work with landlords and private sector tenants.

Other elements not allocated to councils include a £10m support package for those at imminent risk, and another £10m for social impact bonds to assist the long-term homeless – including addressing mental health issues or substance abuse which may be factors in continually leaving the social housing system.

Mrs May said the funding was being allocated as a fresh approach was required to look at the underlying issues of homelessness, and builds on the £315m local authority homelessness prevention fund and central pot of £139m already allocated for the next four years on the wider issue.

She said: 'We know there is no single cause of homelessness but I am determined to do more to prevent it happening by supporting those facing challenging issues like domestic abuse, addiction, mental health issues or redundancy, whilst also being prepared to offer a safety net to catch those who might simply be struggling to get by.'

Communities secretary Sajid Javid said: 'It will fund different projects around the country, preventing people from losing their home in the first place and helping to ensure that rough sleepers have somewhere safe to stay.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Legal Assistant Litigation

Durham County Council
£30,024 to £33,699 p.a. (Grade 7)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a legal assistant to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHA Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Services Assistants

Durham County Council
£24,790 to £25,992 p.a. (Grade 4)
A vacancy has arisen within Transactional and Customer Services for two  Customer Services Assistant working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primar Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Litigation Lawyer

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a lawyer to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner