Liverpool City Council has secured a significant financial boost to combat rough sleeping and homelessness, with total government funding for these services reaching £8.1 million for the current year. This includes a major increase in the grant specifically aimed at preventing rough sleeping, which has nearly doubled.
The new funding will support a range of services designed to provide immediate assistance and long-term housing solutions, reinforcing the city's commitment to addressing the complex issue of homelessness.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool's total government funding for homelessness services this year is £8.1 million.
- The rough sleeping prevention grant has increased from £1.7 million to £3.1 million.
- Liverpool City Council is investing an additional £1.9 million of its own funds.
- New initiatives include a homelessness application hub and grants to bring 360 empty properties back into use.
- Specific funding has been allocated for children (£126k) and drug and alcohol treatment (£54k).
Details of the Funding Increase
The Government has announced a substantial increase in financial support for Liverpool's efforts to reduce homelessness. The core of this new package is the near-doubling of the city's rough sleeping prevention and recovery grant, which rises from £1.7 million to £3.1 million.
This specific grant is designed to fund proactive measures that prevent people from sleeping on the streets and help those who are to recover and find stable accommodation. This increase is a key part of the overall £8.1 million provided by the central government for the city's homelessness services this year.
Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups
Beyond the main grant, the funding package includes targeted allocations for specific needs within the homeless population. An additional £126,000 is designated to support children who are experiencing homelessness, providing resources to address their unique challenges.
Furthermore, £54,000 has been allocated for drug and alcohol treatment services. This funding acknowledges the link between substance dependency and homelessness, aiming to provide integrated support that addresses root causes.
Funding Breakdown
- Total Government Funding: £8.1 million
- Rough Sleeping Grant: £3.1 million (up from £1.7 million)
- Council's Additional Investment: £1.9 million
- Support for Children: £126,000
- Drug & Alcohol Treatment: £54,000
Council's Comprehensive Strategy
Liverpool City Council is matching the government's commitment with its own significant investment. The council will inject an additional £1.9 million to expand its Housing Solutions Service. This service is the frontline for managing homelessness applications and focuses on early intervention to prevent people from losing their homes.
The investment will create new specialist roles within the service. These positions will be dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups, including young people, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, and individuals who have experienced rough sleeping.
What is the Housing Solutions Service?
The Housing Solutions Service is Liverpool City Council's primary department for preventing and relieving homelessness. It offers advice and assistance to residents who are homeless or at risk of losing their home, working to find suitable and sustainable housing options.
New Hub and Winter Plans
A key part of the council's strategy involves centralising its services. At a recent Cabinet meeting, the council approved funding to create a new, dedicated hub to handle all homelessness applications. This is intended to streamline the process and make it easier for individuals to access the help they need in one place.
The increased funding will also ensure the city has robust plans in place for the upcoming winter. This includes providing safe and warm emergency accommodation to protect rough sleepers during the coldest months of the year.
Innovative Solutions for Housing Supply
A major challenge in tackling homelessness is the lack of available, affordable housing. To address this, Liverpool is launching an innovative scheme targeting empty properties across the city.
The council will offer grants of up to £20,000 to the owners of vacant homes. In return for the funding to renovate their properties, owners must make them available for use as accommodation for those experiencing homelessness. The goal is to bring approximately 360 empty properties back into use through this initiative.
This strategy is expected to significantly reduce the number of people living in expensive and often unsuitable temporary accommodation, such as hotels or B&Bs. By increasing the supply of stable housing, the council anticipates saving millions of pounds from its overall homelessness budget, which can then be reinvested into other support services.
Official Response to the Announcement
Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, welcomed the government's decision to increase funding, stating it recognised the scale of the challenge the city faces.
“I am really pleased the Government has recognised the challenges we are facing with homelessness by giving us additional funding. We already have a really strong network of organisations who support homeless people in the city, and this money will help us provide additional support.”
Cllr Robinson emphasized that the new funds, combined with the council's own investment, signal a determined approach to the issue. He outlined the council's clear objectives for the future.
“When combined with the additional investment we are making, it demonstrates that we are absolutely determined to tackle this issue head on. We have a comprehensive plan to get people off the streets more quickly, reduce the time they spend in temporary accommodation and increase the supply of stable, long-term tenancies.”
The combined funding and strategic initiatives represent a concerted effort by local and national government to provide a more effective and sustainable response to homelessness in Liverpool.