Theresa May unveils £1m fund to tackle homelessness

Prime Minister Theresa May announced a fund to tackle homelessness
REUTERS
Kate Proctor17 October 2016
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Theresa May today vowed to help tackle homelessness in the capital with a £1 million fund for a trailblazing new project in Southwark.

The Prime Minister said “too many people sleep rough in London every night”, adding that we can no longer ignore the “injustices on our doorstep”.

Today, Southwark becomes part of a £40 million national pilot scheme that focuses on people who are imminent risk of being forced onto the streets.

Mrs May said: “When I stood on the steps of Downing Street, I said I wanted to build a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few, based on the values of fairness and opportunity. London epitomises those values, but I know that even in this city of great opportunity we cannot ignore the injustices right on our doorstep.

“Too many people sleep rough on the streets of London every night, or in temporary accommodation without somewhere to call home.”

The national scheme provides £20 million for local authorities to pilot new initiatives to tackle homelessness, £10 million to help people at immediate risk of sleeping rough or those new to the streets and £10 million in Social Impact Bonds to help long-term rough sleepers with complex needs.

Southwark council will conduct outreach work with people facing eviction by landlords, parents and friends, and those in need will be given a personal housing plan and other information and advice to secure accommodation. Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for housing, said: “Southwark is no stranger to the challenges of preventing and addressing homelessness.”

The borough has already had £500,000 from the Government through The Homelessness Transition Fund, which has provided paid work for jobseekers who are currently, formerly or at risk of rough sleeping.

Mrs May praised the Evening Standard for championing the work of homelessness charities and for providing a powerful voice for some of the most vulnerable people in London.

She said: “I want to build on the vital work being done by charities and outreach workers to stop people ending up on the street, make sure they have a safe place to stay and be there to provide the support they need to turn their lives around.”

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