Plymouth has received an additional £1.2 million in funding to support our commitment to providing homes and support to some of the most vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping.
The funding is part of the government's Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP) and follows on from the 'Everyone In' directive from the Government in response to COVID at the end of March.
Under ‘Everyone In’, Plymouth City Council and The Plymouth Alliance accommodated over 200 people at risk of homelessness and worked quickly to provide additional units of temporary accommodation for some of the most vulnerable rough sleeping and at risk of rough sleeping.
The Next Steps Accommodation Programme provided through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), will now fund additional accommodation units to provide a move on option and longer term homes, for some of those currently in temporary accommodation.
Working closely with The Plymouth Alliance, BCHA and Plymouth Community Homes, this round of funding will provide 10 longer term self-contained units and 10 one bedroom properties. The funding includes the recruitment of staff to support those moving into the accommodation.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development, said: “Plymouth is committed to ending homelessness and rough sleeping. We welcome the additional funding that helps us to continue the good work done during the pandemic that helped vulnerable people access secure homes, but it is not enough to meet all the additional financial demands in doing so.
“COVID has had a huge immediate impact on homelessness and its legacy is likely to be seen for many years to come. By investing in local services we are well-placed to support the prevention and relief of homelessness, but with no indication of the level of financial support available beyond March 2021, it remains difficult to plan comprehensively and address some of the longer term challenges.
“A realistic and consistent level of longer term funding would allow homelessness prevention to be delivered strategically, and better support our most vulnerable in the most effective way, this is what we need from Government at this time.”