Following the November 2024 announcement of a £10million package for rough sleepers across the country this winter, today the Government have announced that this will be tripled
More rough sleepers will be helped off the streets and provided warm beds this winter thanks to new emergency funding given to local councils today.
The government has announced that The Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding, is to increase the use of emergency accommodation for rough sleepers, and will be tripled from £10 million to £30 million. The cash will go directly into areas with record levels of rough sleeping, ultimately saving lives and supporting thousands of vulnerable people in society facing the cold weather.
Those experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping are 8 to 12 times more likely to die prematurely, particularly from chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and those sleeping rough during winter are at even greater risk of ill health and long-term sickness.
Over 280 councils, including all London boroughs, will now have extra resources at their disposal to support frontline workers providing vital services on the ground, which will see more people sleeping rough into safe and secure accommodation with warm beds, hot meals and medical treatment.
The new funding will also continue supporting specialist programmes for vulnerable groups sleeping rough including veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse. This is alongside giving lifechanging support to people who have slept rough long-term, with critical outreach staff helping to address substance abuse and provide employment opportunities.
This comes as rough sleeping in the capital hit another record high this summer, with 4,780 people sleeping rough. Last year a devastating 155 people died rough sleeping on our streets. St Mungo’s is on the frontline of this homelessness emergency. The charity operates in parts of the UK facing the highest levels of homelessness. London is a hub for the UK and abroad and it sees some of the highest levels of people rough sleeping because of this.
Sean Palmer, Executive Director at St Mungo’s, said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement that it will be tripling its investment in the Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding from £10 million to £30 million, providing vital resource for councils to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. This funding is much needed, the current levels of rough sleeping are shamefully high and continuing to rise.
“St Mungo’s will continue to bring people in from the cold and provide a warm place to stay, while supporting them to find routes out of homelessness and supporting them to rebuild their lives.
“Beyond responding to this winter’s rough sleeping emergency, we are pleased to be working with the Government on developing its new strategy to end homelessness for good. Crucially, a commitment to long-term, sustainable funding is needed to support the delivery of strategic and joined up services so rough sleeping can be prevented in the first place.”
