In autumn 2017 4,751 people were identified as sleeping out on a typical night, an increase of 15% on the previous year.
The UK Government’s rough sleeping strategy, published in August 2018, sets out a vision for halving rough sleeping by 2022 and ending it by 2027.
The strategy will be supported by £100 million of funding over 2 years. £9 billion will also be invested in affordable housing, including a new generation of council housing.
It is based around the 3 pillars of prevention, intervention and recovery. Measures include:
- £3.2 million to help people leaving prison find stable and sustainable accommodation
- A review of legislation around homelessness and rough sleeping
- Work to look at affordability in the private rented sector
- £45 million to continue the work of the Rough Sleeping Initiative
- £2 million of mental health and substance misuse treatment
- £5 million new funding for non-UK nationals who sleep rough
- New funding for an improved Street Link
- The majority of the allocated £135 million dormant accounts funds to support innovative financing for homes for people who sleep rough or are at risk of rough sleeping
- £19 million for supported lettings
- Homelessness experts for every Jobcentre Plus
James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government says:
Prevention is at the heart of our approach with the focus on providing timely support before someone becomes homeless.