Milton Keynes Council has been awarded £870,000 to continue and expand its valuable work tackling rough sleeping.
Over the last 18 months the council helped more than 130 rough sleepers permanently off the streets and recruited a rough sleeper outreach team to give extra support to people who for often complex reasons aren’t engaging with offers of accommodation and help.
In October it opened a Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub in Bletchley so people aren’t faced with a night on the streets.
MK Council’s draft budget for 2020/21, which local people can give feedback on until 4 February, has an extra £3.9 million dedicated to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.
The funding will help the Council run existing support services and expand how it supports rough sleepers to move from temporary into permanent accommodation.
Additional support around training and jobs is also planned, including funding travel cards for former rough sleepers so they can get to work, as well as drop in centres where people can get advice alongside a hot meal.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Nigel Long said: “We welcome this much-needed extra funding, which will help us continue the work we’re doing to end rough sleeping by 2021.
“Colleagues and partners work around the clock to ensure that people don’t have to face a night on the street and this new money will strengthen our resources to help those most in need.”
If you are worried about someone that is either sleeping rough or at risk of becoming homeless, please direct them to Civic in CMK or call 01908 253481.
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