New Government funding set to help end rough sleeping in Wirral
Efforts to tackle rough sleeping in Wirral have received a major boost after the council secured almost £500,000 in new Government funding.
The funding forms part of the Government's new Rough Sleeping Programme, which aims to provide rapid support, accommodation and specialist assistance to people sleeping rough or at immediate risk of rough sleeping, while also supporting longer-term solutions to homelessness.
Wirral is set to receive £498,824 investment which will enable the borough to build on existing services already in place, including homelessness prevention and assessment, Rough Sleeping Initiative outreach teams, emergency accommodation, supported housing pathways and integrated health support.
Wirral Council already delivers many of the core elements associated with the Government's approach through its Housing Options Service and established partnership arrangements including:
- A dedicated Housing Options service undertaking homelessness assessments and triage.
- Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) funded outreach provision to identify, engage and support rough sleepers.
- Access to emergency and temporary accommodation.
- Supported housing pathways.
- A dedicated nurse practitioner linked to hostel accommodation.
- Established links into mental health, substance misuse and wider support services.
- Existing homelessness prevention and relief duties under the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
As a result, Wirral already provides a coordinated approach to rough sleeping prevention, engagement and support, with outreach workers actively engaging with rough sleepers and facilitating access to accommodation and support services.
While the principles of the programme align with current practice, the primary challenge for Wirral will be the availability of suitable accommodation and move-on opportunities for those in temporary accommodation and this funding will help address this.
No one should have to sleep rough. Wirral is already committed to preventing rough sleeping within the borough, but this additional funding gives us an opportunity to go even further in helping some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
It will allow us to strengthen our outreach work, build stronger relationships with people sleeping rough, and make it easier for them to access emergency accommodation and the support they need at the earliest possible stage.
Just as importantly, it will help us step in sooner to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping from becoming a long-term reality for people. By working more closely with partners across housing, health and support services, we can provide more joined-up help that improves lives and reduces pressure on emergency and public services.
