The Guardian article about funding for homeless charities is both inaccurate and misleading.
Since the start of the pandemic we have taken decisive action to protect rough sleepers, and the government has spent over £700 million this year on homelessness and rough sleeping – something this article fails to acknowledge.
Our ‘Everyone In’ campaign, where rough sleepers were housed in safe accommodation, has helped to protect thousands of lives by taking the most vulnerable off the streets during the height of the pandemic.
That work is still ongoing and by September we had successfully supported over 29,000 people, with over 10,000 in emergency accommodation and nearly 19,000 provided with settled accommodation or move on support.
Over the summer we worked with every local authority to develop a tailored, local plan to support rough sleepers over the coming months. Now, as winter approaches, we are protecting vulnerable rough sleepers – working with the partners including councils and charities to prevent people from returning to the streets.
Guidance has been issued on re-opening traditional night shelters where they are needed. And our new £10 million Cold Weather Fund will support councils to get rough sleepers off the streets by helping them to provide more self-contained accommodation.
We have also accelerated plans – backed by £433 million over the next four years – to deliver 6,000 additional homes for former rough sleepers across the country providing long-term accommodation and tailored support.
This is alongside support from specialist staff for mental health and substance abuse problems, as we recognise the importance of a sustainable recovery from rough sleeping towards training and work.
Taken together this represents a comprehensive package of support for some of the most vulnerable people in society.