Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has welcomed news Torbay Council will receive £620,000.00 to tackle rough sleeping this year.
The Government has announced councils will receive a share of an additional £112 million through the Rough Sleeping Initiative to help get people off the streets and in to safe and secure accommodation.
It builds on the Prime Minister’s drive to end homelessness and the announcement before Christmas of £260 million for local authorities to help people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes get back on their feet.
The Rough Sleeping Initiative has reduced the number of vulnerable people sleeping rough in the areas it has been operating by 32 per cent since its introduction in 2018, and is a central pillar of the government’s strategy to end rough sleeping completely by 2024.
Commenting, Kevin Foster said:
“I welcome news of the latest funding from the Government to tackle rough sleeping in Torbay and this funding will make a difference to some of the bay’s most vulnerable residents.
“No-one should be forced to spend a night sleeping on the streets and the services this money will provide, alongside welcome community initiatives like the Torbay Winter Night Shelter, will bring us closer to the day when we end rough sleeping in our bay.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said:
“No-one should have to face a night on the street and we have a moral duty to support those who need help the most. It is encouraging to see more people getting the support they need, but there is always more to do.
“We are focusing relentlessly on this issue and our efforts have already led to the first nationwide fall in rough sleeping in a decade – and the areas funded by our Rough Sleeping Initiative have seen rough sleeping numbers fall around a third more than they would be without this vital programme.
“But we need to go further. That is why we are providing this funding so vital work can continue as we set out to end rough sleeping once and for all.”
ENDS
