Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has welcomed news Torbay will receive an additional £620,000 to tackle rough sleeping this year to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
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.
An additional £236 million will also fund ‘move on’ accommodation for up to 6,000 rough sleepers, ensuring no one needs to sleep on the streets at night.
The latest figures show rough sleeping across England fell by 9 per cent last year, the second annual fall in a row, and by 12 per cent in local authority areas where the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) is active. In Torbay, part of the RSI, the latest figures showed a fall from 19 in 2018 to 16 in 2019. The scheme is a central pillar of the Government’s strategy to end rough sleeping completely by 2024.
Commenting, Kevin Foster said:
“I am pleased funding to tackle rough sleeping in Torbay will increase to £620,000.00 this year and the number rough sleeping has fallen, yet there is still more work to do."
“Local Groups, Churches and Torbay Council are working hard to offer the support people need to not only find a bed for the night, but to move on in life afterwards. This further funding will help drive that work forward.”
ENDS
For more information please contact Kevin Foster 01803 214 989.
