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Emergency support for rough sleepers during coronavirus outbreak

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced £3.2m emergency funding to help rough sleepers to self-isolate.

‘We urge local areas to establish a task force of voluntary sector and grassroots groups that can take swift and coordinated action, setting up an effective protocol for supporting their most vulnerable people and directing the money to where it is needed most, according to local context.

‘Further initiatives are needed to ensure that people, whether homeless on the streets, in hostels and shelters, or using day centres, are able to self-isolate, and to access testing and treatment should their condition deteriorate.’

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘Council staff continue to work day-and-night to support national efforts to minimise the spread of the coronavirus and protect and support communities, including our most vulnerable.

‘We are pleased that the Government has announced that councils will receive emergency funding to support rough sleepers to self-isolate, as part of a wider package of support, and we look forward to working with the Government on the detail to ensure councils costs are fully covered.

‘Public health, housing and social care teams will continue to work together to identify local solutions for rough sleepers most at risk, but homelessness services remain under huge pressure as a result of rising demand driven by a historic shortage of social housing.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay

Laura O'Neill
Reporter

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