Lewes, Wealden Councils Receive Funding To Tackle Homelessness

Tuesday, 18 May 2021 06:00

By Jade McLean

The government has awarded two councils in the Lewes constituency a total of £85,000 to help get homeless people off the street.

Of the £203 million put aside by the government to tackle homelessness, Lewes District Council has been awarded £60,000 and Wealden District Council, £25,000.

The funding will support vital projects such as shelters, specialist mental health or addiction services, and targeted support to help rough sleepers off the streets.

It will be used by councils, charities and other local groups to fund up to 14,500 bed spaces and 2,700 support staff across England.

The funding is one part of a £750 million investment this year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping - part of the government's drive to end rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament.

According to Maria Caulfield's (MP for Lewes) office, analysis of the Rough Sleeping Initiative - now in its fourth year - shows that the programme has reduced rough sleeping by almost a third compared to areas which have not taken part in the programme.

Building on the past success of the programme, funding has almost doubled this year and will provide additional support to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of people sleeping rough across England has fallen for the third year in a row, and by 37% in the last year alone.

Maria Caulfield MP said:

"During the pandemic swift and decisive action was taken to bring rough sleepers in off of the streets.

"This work continues and the results of the Rough Sleeping Initiative are clear.

"We are getting more people into accommodation and getting them the support that they need to ensure that they do not return to a life on the streets."

"I welcome this additional funding for the local councils in my constituency and will continue to lobby the government for more funding for initiatives like this that are giving excellent results."