Funding of £5.5m to help rough sleepers off streets

More than £5m is to be spent helping people sleeping rough in the West Midlands to get accommodation and support over Christmas and the winter months.

The Government has awarded £5.5m which will be distributed among councils in the region.

Help with health issues is among the practical assistance set to be delivered for those who seek it.

Birmingham will receive £2.6 million while Coventry will be awarded £815,000, Dudley £317,000, Sandwell £533,000, Solihull £360,000, Walsall £394,000 and Wolverhampton £505,000.

The latest figures show 158 people were recorded sleeping rough on a single night in the area - equivalent to about 5 people per 100,000.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker announced the funding while visiting Coventry City Council's outreach team for rough sleeping.

He said hearing people's experiences had shown him "how quickly homelessness can strip away your health, confidence and opportunities".

"Its impact can be devastating, but it does not have to define your future," he said.

"This money from the prime minister will do more than put a roof over someone's head this Christmas. It will give people the stability and support they need to rebuild their lives."

Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities at Coventry City Council, said: "This money will enable us to continue to work with our partners to ensure everyone has a roof over their head in Coventry this Christmas, and the support they need to stay there.

"There are many reasons why people can find themselves sleeping rough and we provide a wide range of services to help them and to find the security and safety they need for their pathway out of rough sleeping and homelessness.

"That is so important for everyone and we are delighted we will be able to help even more people at Christmas and over the winter months.

"This cash will be a real boost and how we spend it will be a real team effort, helping to continue the good work we do."

Earlier this year, just over £18m was agreed by the West Midlands Combined Authority investment board to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Birmingham and Coventry, where demand for support is particularly high.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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