More support has been pledged for rough sleepers in Colchester, following the announcement that Colchester Borough Council and Colchester Borough Homes have been successful in securing £811,599 from the Government’s new Rough Sleeper Fund.
Colchester’s successful bid will continue the interventions already in place to reduce the number of people sleeping rough in the borough and help them into accommodation over the next three years.
The new funding will help deliver a range of support services including outreach work to identify people who are or at risk of sleeping rough, specialist support using a trauma-informed approach, and access to an accommodation pathway including a housing-led scheme providing wraparound support.
Since 2016, Colchester Borough Council and Colchester Borough Homes have secured more than £2.5m from the Government’s rough sleeper funding streams to prevent and reduce rough sleeping by helping clients access accommodation and support.
In 2021, the council secured additional funding through the Rough Sleeper Accommodation Pathway to help fund the acquisition of six self-contained flats as move-on accommodation for up to two years for supported rough sleepers.
In 2021-22, the Rough Sleeper Team provided 124 clients with support, advice, and assistance to help them move off the streets, while 38 rough sleepers were housed into more settled accommodation
Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured this additional funding, which will complement and extend our existing work to tackle rough sleeping in the borough.
“The council, with the assistance of Colchester Borough Homes and a range of local support and accommodation providers, already delivers several projects that are helping to make a real difference to the lives of rough sleepers and vulnerable people at risk of homelessness.
“The reasons why people find themselves in a vulnerable position on the streets are extremely complex. We believe people should be treated as individuals and have an opportunity to access a package of support from appropriate agencies.
“Everyone has a role to play in tackling rough sleeping. With public support, we can improve lives and make our city a better place for everyone.”
If you see someone sleeping rough, visit www.streetlink.org.uk to download the free mobile app for Apple and Android, or call 0300 500 0914.
Page last reviewed: 6 September 2022