Housing Minister Grant Shapps announced the Government's target to put an end to rough sleeping by pledging to work with councils and the voluntary sector to ensure that nobody spends a second night sleeping rough on Britain's streets.
The national roll out of 'No Second Night Out' to tackle rough sleeping aims to protect the most vulnerable in society. A new £20 million 'Homelessness Transition Fund' is being set up to help the voluntary sector to deliver the necessary package of actions.
'No Second Night Out' identifies new rough sleepers and helps them off the streets immediately, so that they do not fall into a dangerous rough sleeping lifestyle.
By identifying where they are coming from, it also helps to improve prevention and recovery services for those prone to ending up spending the night sleeping rough on the streets.
Currently operating as a pilot in London, 'No Second Night Out' has helped prevent 135 people from spending a second night on the streets since it was launched earlier this year.
The Minister confirmed that the Government would work with local councils and charities to extend the principles of 'No Second Night Out' to towns and cities across the country.
He has asked Homeless Link to administer the new funding to ensure that the voluntary sector continue to play a central role in tackling rough sleeping.