Wiltshire Council receives government funding to provide accommodation for rough sleepers

The new funding is part of £150 million made available to local authorities by the government to provide a permanent place to live for rough sleepers.

The funding will be used to provide more on, next step accommodation for rough sleepers that will continue the council's work throughout Wiltshire to provide support and accommodation, and ultimately reduce rough sleeping in the county.

In total, the council will receive £619,000, which will help to fund 'move on' accommodation:

·          The capital purchase of one three-bedroom house and work to convert it into housing of multiple occupations for rough sleepers by 31 March 2021. £150,000 from government and £100k contribution from Wiltshire Council

·          The capital purchase of three one-bedroom properties to create three housing first units. £350,000 from government and £150k contribution from Wiltshire Council

·          £30,000 for work costs in making the properties ready to let and HMO standard

·          Recruiting an intensive support officer for three years to support all housing first model units, with £90,000 of government funding.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: 

This extra funding is fantastic news and will help us to create more safe accommodation for rough sleepers, and help them off the streets. We have also allocated a significant amount of our own funding to help get these projects off the ground.

Single person accommodation is in short supply across Wiltshire, Houses in Multiple Occupation are rare and rental prices are high. We have a have a dedicated outreach team that is working hard to connect with people on the streets and find them suitable accommodation.

The 'move on' accommodation this funding will enable us to provide will make a big difference, providing support for rough sleepers as they make the transition back into long-term accommodation. 

If anyone sees a rough sleeper in Wiltshire, please report it on StreetLink, as this will enable our teams to engage with them and support them, if they aren't already.

People can report rough sleepers at StreetLink or via the StreetLink app; this will direct our teams to help people who need it.