The MP for Rochester and Strood, Kelly Tolhurst, is delighted to learn that Medway Council is to be awarded an additional £486, 117 from the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative in the new 2019/20 financial year.

Homelessness had been an increasing issue across Medway and has led Kelly Tolhurst MP to lobby heavily in support of Medway Council’s bid for a portion of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative last year. Last week, Medway Council was successful in securing further funding for the year ahead.

The Government announced yesterday that it had allocated £46m to local authorities to help end rough sleeping. This funding includes £34m for the 83 Rough Sleeping Areas and an additional £12m for other areas of the country, demonstrating the government’s commitment to tackling this important issue.

This funding will provide for over 750 new staff focused on rough sleeping. This will include more outreach workers to engage with people on the streets, specialist mental health and substance misuse workers and dedicated co-ordinators to drive efforts to reduce rough sleeping in their areas. It will also provide for over 2,650 new bed spaces including both emergency, temporary and settled accommodation.

After meeting with the Minister responsible for homelessness, Heather Wheeler MP, Kelly said:

“I am delighted by the news that Medway Council will receive further funding to help with addressing the issue of rough sleeping in our Towns. This is particularly welcome as Medway is one of the most successful areas in the UK for bringing the number of rough sleepers down significantly by providing the necessary specialist support.

“This funding will help local agencies continue their work in supporting rough sleepers to get back on their feet.”