City gets extra £876k to tackle homelessness

NEW FUNDING IS REVEALED ON WORLD HOMELESS DAY

- By JANET KING

PLYMOUTH is to received nearly £900,000 from the Government to help support people facing homelessness this winter.

The new funding was announced yesterday to mark World Homeless Day.

The money is part of an £84 million additional cash boost to councils across the country, to help prevent homelessness and support families this winter, with immediate help for children and families in temporary accommodation.

It builds on the £1billion investment already announced this year to end homelessness and rough sleeping.

Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised - with the funding to go towards helping families to cover the essentials like food, school travel and laundry. The investment also provides tailored services for those experiencing long-term rough sleeping - including mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment and sustainable accommodation.

It comes as record levels of households nationally are in temporary accommodation, including nearly 170,000 children. Levels of rough sleeping have more than doubled since 2010.