Applications now open for £266m homeless housing fund

The government has announced applications are now open for a £266m fund to stop homeless people going back on the streets.

The Next Steps Accommodation Programme will cover property costs and support new tenancies for around 15,000 vulnerable people who were provided with emergency accommodation during the pandemic.

A total of £105m is now available to ensure interim accommodation and support continues for those who need it and can be used to help people move into the private rented sector, extend or secure alternative interim accommodation or where possible help people to reconnect with friends or family.

In addition, £161m of first wave funding is also available to provide 3,300 additional supported homes this year for those currently housed in emergency accommodation.

Local authorities have until 20 August to submit applications.

‘The remarkable national effort to support rough sleepers and vulnerable people during this crisis has protected many lives and I am hugely grateful to all those involved,’ said housing secretary, Robert Jenrick.

‘We now have a landmark opportunity to break the cycle of rough sleeping and ensure that people do not return to a life on the streets.

‘Today I am launching the funding to ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have a roof over their heads and are helped into longer term accommodation, enabling them to start to rebuild their lives,’ added Mr Jenrick.

More information on the fund and the application is available here.

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