New initiatives will be delivered to support rough sleepers in Bedford after the Borough Council accepted £547k in Government grants.
The funding includes £452k as part of the Government’s Rapid Re-Housing Pathway, £221k of which will be used for a ‘Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub’ based at 26 Harpur Street in the town centre. This will provide emergency overnight beds as well as cooking and washing facilities while the individual’s housing needs are assessed.
Funding will also be available for Rough Sleeper Navigators to ensure rough sleepers have access to support services, while Local Lettings Officers will help find secure accommodation.
In addition to the Rapid Re-Housing Pathway grant, £95k will be utilised for homelessness prevention activities.
Conservative Cllr Roger Rigby said:
‘Last year saw a 33% reduction in the number of rough sleepers in the Borough due to the hard work of Council officers, voluntary organisations and the Bedford Homeless Partnership backed up by central government investment. Nevertheless, many people are still sleeping rough in the Borough and there remains a huge amount of work to be done to support people with complex needs whilst helping them into stable accommodation.
‘This new investment will help the Council and its partners to provide safe accommodation for rough sleepers and support to meet their needs.’