Over £2.3m granted to Suffolk local councils to tackle homelessness
The funding comes from the Government's Homelessness Prevention Grant
Local councils in Suffolk have been awarded over £2m in funding to tackle homelessness in the county.
As we reported last month, almost fifteen thousand people were living on the streets or in temporary accommodation as of June this year in the East of England. That figure equates to 1 in every 422 people who find themselves in this situation.
The funding comes as part of the the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities' Homelessness Prevention Grant allocation for 2022 and will look to help those who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless find a new home, access support for unexpected evictions and secure temporary accommodation if required.
There is also a further £61,652 pounds pledged to help people who are forced into homelessness by domestic abuse. This support follows the new Domestic Abuse Act, 2021 which gives local authorities give victims of such abuse 'priority need' for assistance.
Eddie Hughes MP is the Minister for Rough Sleeping. He says: "I have seen first-hand the devastation of those who come face to face with homelessness, and my heart goes out to anyone in this situation.
"The support we are announcing will help thousands of people across England, with councils able to prevent homelessness before it occurs and put a roof over the heads of those who have lost their homes.”
Ipswich Borough Council have received funding worth £713,348 from the grant plus a further £19,141 to help victims of domestic abuse who may become homeless.
Councillor Neil MacDonald is their Portfolio Holder for Housing, tells us: "While the money is welcome, it's a cut in real terms as inflation is over 5%. We use this money to help lessen the housing crisis that can affect too many people.
"Last financial year we helped 920 private rented households to avoid homelessness and this year we have helped 617 in the last eight months. The money assists with support, deposits and rents. It's an essential part of keeping homelessness down."
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said in a statement: “To end homelessness we need to prevent people being forced from their homes in the first place, so this funding for vital local authority services is very welcome.
“With the appalling rise in domestic abuse during lockdowns and the pandemic forcing many more into homelessness, it is especially important that councils in England will have more money to provide accommodation for survivors.”