UK Government finds £3.2m to help rough sleepers through Coronavirus outbreak

The government has found £3.2m to help rough sleepers through the COVID-19 outbreak – having stuck by a ‘business as usual’ stance since concerns were first raised by charities.

The funding will be available to all local authorities in England and will reimburse them for the cost of providing accommodation and services to those sleeping on the streets to help them successfully self-isolate.

MHCLG says the sum is in addition to the £492m committed in 2020/2021 to support the government’s ambition to end rough sleeping in this Parliament, a £124m increase in funding from the previous year – forming part of £643m in funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the next four years.