Nearly £54k secured for the Council’s Rough Sleeping Initiative

Published: Tuesday, 16th April 2019

Sevenoaks District Council has secured £53,949 to employ a ‘Rough Sleeper Co-ordinator’ to help prevent homelessness.

Sevenoaks District Council put forward a successful bid to the Government to fund a dedicated staff member to provide intensive, ongoing support to those at risk of becoming homeless and anyone already sleeping rough. Longer-term support will also be provided to help sustain a tenancy and ‘break the cycle’ of losing a home and sleeping rough.

Nina Colley, Sevenoaks District Council’s Homelessness Prevention Manager, says: “This extra funding will make a huge difference to helping the most vulnerable people in our District. The new Co-ordinator will play a big part in homelessness prevention and providing long-term solutions to those who are rough sleeping.”

Nina adds: “Although we do not see a lot of rough sleepers in the Sevenoaks District, it is vital there is a team in place to intervene before any ‘at risk’ individuals are at the point of homelessness.”

The service will work closely with partner organisations to ensure a co-ordinated approach to tailor support as early as possible. 

Sevenoaks District Council already offer various homelessness prevention services including a personalised HERO (Housing, home Energy, Retraining and Options) Advice Service and free advice for people at risk of becoming homeless. This advice covers housing options, accessing social housing, claiming benefits and targeted support.

For more information on the HERO Advice Service visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/hero or telephone 01732 227000.

In August 2018 the government launched a ‘Rough Sleeper Strategy’ which sets out a range of plans to help those currently sleeping rough and put in place long term structures to end rough sleeping for good. Part of this initiative included providing over £45 million to councils over the next two years to support homeless people in their area.

Proposals for funding were submitted to MHCLG in February 2019 by local authorities which were reviewed by a moderation panel.

A full list of the amounts allocated to 163 local authorities will be published on GOV.UK on Monday 25 March 2019.