Work to help rough sleepers continues

A countywide programme to help rough sleepers find permanent solutions to end their homelessness will continue over the next year thanks to a successful bid for funding.

Erewash Borough Council is the lead authority for the initiative and submitted a funding application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on behalf of Derbyshire County Council, the seven district councils in the county and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The award, for nearly £146,000, means the council and its partners will retain access to the services of five Outreach Workers, two Rough Sleeping Coordinators and six Supported Lettings Workers operating across the scheme’s area.

Erewash was the lead authority when funding was first secured last year from the government’s Rough Sleepers Initiative and the Rapid Rehousing Pathway as part of a national drive to put an end to homelessness.

Councillor Val Clare, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “Securing this money means the ongoing hard work to help the homeless across Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands can continue over the next year, while the government considers how to fund rough sleeping services nationwide from April 2021.

“The government has pledged to end rough sleeping by the end of this parliament and here in Erewash the drive will continue to ensure that nobody has to sleep on our streets.”

Residents can report concerns about someone sleeping rough via www.streetlink.org.uk or call 0300 500 0914.  The partnership’s outreach service will contact the homeless person and try to help them off the streets.