One year on from the launch of the No One Left Out strategy to end rough sleeping, further action to stem the flow of new rough sleepers coming onto the street and reach entrenched rough sleepers is well underway, according to the latest progress report.
Funding has been provided to help hundreds of rough sleepers find homes in the private rented sector through the Small Grants programme. Through this, councils can help provide deposits so that rough sleepers are able to secure privately rented accommodation.
A mentoring and befriending scheme has also been established for vulnerable housed rough sleepers to help the stay in their accommodation and begin to make friends and new social support networks in their community.
Other achievements outlined in the report include:
New Statistics Show 130,000 Saved from Homelessness
New statistics show that in the year 2008-09, 130,000 households in England were prevented from becoming homeless or helped to find alternative accommodation by their local council.
The Homelessness Prevention and Relief statistics have been collated to highlight the preventative work being carried out by local authorities and their partners, on top of the action they are already taking to meet their legal obligations to help people under the homelessness legislation.
Councils in England are working in partnership with the voluntary sector and others to provide support for families and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless. This has included action such as:
These innovative schemes have proved to be the key in preventing homelessness, helping people stay in their homes or find new ones where that isn't possible.
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New Centre Will Transform Homeless Provision in Northampton
Plans for a new flagship development which is set to revolutionise homeless provision in Northampton have been given the go ahead.
The new £5.5 million scheme, which has been approved by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, will see the current homeless provision at Acorn House and daytime drop-in facilities at the Hope Centre combine into a multi-functional site based in the town centre.
The plans were submitted in July this year by housing and regeneration organisation, Midland Heart, to build 48 units of accommodation including 39 apartments, nine emergency units and four dog kennels.
Northampton's current provision for its homeless population consists of 31 units, including a seven-bed dormitory along with additional support services in other areas of the town.
The new development will see an amalgamation of these services and will provide a range of new facilities all under one roof including a day centre, IT suite, arts and crafts centre, housing advice service and training facilities.
The new centre is being designed by architects BM3 and is part of the Government's Places of Change programme. The Communities and Local Government department is supporting the scheme through £1.42 million grant.