The battle to end homelessness and rough sleeping has just got a phenomenal £434,000 injection! Announced today (Friday, October 10) on World Homelessness Day, this fantastic government grant is set to turbocharge Canterbury City Council’s efforts to help vulnerable people get back on their feet.
This extra cash will allow the council to significantly ramp up their essential support, focusing on those sleeping rough, at risk of it, or transitioning back into stable housing. We’re talking:
- More prevention work to help folks in insecure housing or those “sofa surfing” before they reach crisis point.
- Boosted outreach—more dedicated teams out there, talking to people and connecting them with the help they need.
- More accommodation to offer a safe, warm place to stay.
- Increased wraparound care to address all the challenges people face.
Making a Real Difference, Every Day
Canterbury City Council has already been doing amazing work! Over the last 12 months, they’ve successfully made 109 placements into accommodation for 79 individual rough sleepers, and supported many more with vital help like accessing healthcare and claiming benefits.
Welcoming the £434,288 from the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, Canterbury City Council’s Director for People, Marie Royle, shared the team’s enthusiasm:
“Our teams work hard and with heart every day to support rough sleepers! We are working tirelessly towards ending rough sleeping for good, and this money will allow us to do even more incredible work in the community. We know that challenges like mental health, physical health, and addiction can be tough barriers, but that will never stop us from offering support. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the voluntary and community sector to maximize this grant and help as many people as possible.”
Building on Success!
The council’s dedication is already evident in the strong foundation they’ve built, including:
- Establishing a dedicated outreach team focused solely on supporting rough sleepers.
- Providing personalised budgets to help people move into suitable homes.
- Commissioning 62 fantastic supported bed spaces across the district.
- Introducing Tenancy Sustainment Workers to ensure people thrive once they’ve found a home.
If you spot someone sleeping rough and are worried about them, you can be part of the solution! The fastest and easiest way to connect them with help is by reaching out through the Streetlink website or app.
Would you like to search for the Streetlink website to see how the service works?