Government makes £266 million available to local authorities to continue supporting people provided with emergency accommodation during pandemic

Housing Secretary says funding will ensure vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have a roof over their heads and are helped into longer-term accommodation

The Government has made £266 million funding available to local authorities to continue supporting people provided with emergency accommodation during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Confirming the release of funding after launching its Next Steps Accommodation Programme - to cover property costs and support new tenancies for around 15,000 vulnerable people who were provided with emergency accommodation during the pandemic - the government advises that -

• £105 million is for use during 2020/2021 to ensure interim accommodation and support continues, including to help people move into the private rented sector, extend or secure alternative interim accommodation, or ‘where possible’ help reconnect with friends or family;
• ‘first wave funding’ of £161 million is also available to provide 3,300 additional supported homes 'this year' for those currently housed in emergency accommodation (part of previously announced funding of £433 million for its plans to end rough sleeping).

Announcing the launch of the funding, Secretary of State for Housing Robert Jenrick said -

‘The remarkable national effort to support rough sleepers and vulnerable people during this crisis has protected many lives and I am hugely grateful to all those involved. 

We now have a landmark opportunity to break the cycle of rough sleeping and ensure that people do not return to a life on the streets.

Today I am launching the funding to ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have a roof over their heads and are helped into longer term accommodation, enabling them to start to rebuild their lives.’

For more information, see Jenrick launches £266 million housing fund for vulnerable people from gov.uk