Extra funding to help rough sleepers in Dorset
More than £1.5 million will be spent over the next three years
Dorset Council has successfully secured more than £1.5 million to help continue excellent work supporting rough sleepers.
As well as continuing to support existing projects, such as the Bus Shelter and our advice and support services, the additional funding will help establish a new rapid assessment unit for vulnerable people providing accommodation and bespoke assistance to prevent returning to the streets.
Spread over three years the money will also be used to support charities in the community which are set up to help rough sleepers. The funds over such a significant period, will give security to the organisations and their workforces.
Intervention with rough sleepers means addressing the reasons why they are on the streets and helping them into a more settled life – it is not as simple providing a roof over their heads.
The money will be used to create bespoke solutions to help perennial rough sleepers who have difficulty in obtaining and sustaining housing. Barriers such as having a pet can mean they prefer to remain on the streets so the money can be used to create innovative solutions.
New support will be available for prison leavers to help reduce the risk of reoffending and help with debts and benefits will be available to provide a rounded approach to helping individuals off the streets
The money will fund a rapid assessment unit, run by Julian House, to provide a Rough Sleeper Navigator Service, an intensive, bespoke support to rough sleepers from the street into settled accommodation.
The Lantern Trust will be able to provide a housing wellbeing and sustainment service and an education, employment & training co-ordinator and Citizens Advice can provide a rough sleeper debt and benefit advisor because of the award.
Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, portfolio holder for housing, said the significant funding would be used to help some of the most vulnerable people in society.
He said: “The council and its partners have a real opportunity with funding over a prolonged period to end rough sleeping.
“The rapid assessment unit will be a great asset to add to the tools the council and its partners use and will be used to start the sometimes-long process of turning around people’s lives, supporting them and helping find a different and more stable way to live.
“Such preventative measures will also mean expensive B&B and temporary accommodation is not routinely used as a sticking plaster to this situation.
“Not only will we be able to help more people but also those who have very specific needs who we have not been able to help in the past, and who therefore have remained on the street for longer. Finding a suitable home for them and an animal, for example, will be more achievable. We will not forget or leave people behind.”
The money was granted by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after the council submitted a successful bid.