City of Lincoln Council has been awarded additional government funding to continue its Rough Sleeping Team for another year, up to March 2021.
In the latest round of Rough Sleeping Initiative Funding, administered by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, the council has received more than £1.07million.
The funding will allow the rough sleeping team to carry on their work which entails helping people who are sleeping rough within the city and assisting them to leave the street and find safe and suitable accommodation.
The Rough Sleeping Project was set up by the council a year ago and is already making huge strides in tackling rough sleeping and helping those in need. This is due to the improved pathway for people sleeping rough which has led to many successes within their work.
The team has recently increased its prevention work and this is an area they are looking to develop further over the coming year.
Considering the challenges, the council’s Rough Sleeping Project has seen excellent progress in tacking rough sleeping in the 15 months that it has been operational. Rough sleeping counts fluctuate through the year, the highest being 41 and the lowest being 18, however the trend is on the decline.
Altogether, the team have been able to house 105 people, assisted 171 people with mental health problems, prevented 42 people from sleeping rough, had 97 people through the Somewhere Safe to Stay hub and have dealt with 517 housing enquiries.
The additional funding will improve prevention within the city and local areas. This will be fulfilled through funding for three Rough Sleeping Officers and will enable the team to work more closely with the prison and hospital so that they can identify potential rough sleepers and tackle this as soon as possible. There is also additional funding for four Housing Support Workers to ensure a successful stay in temporary accommodation and through into a permanent tenancy.
Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing at City of Lincoln Council said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this additional funding. It is pleasing that the council’s proven track record of responding and delivering on this scheme has been recognised by government with the allocation of such a significant grant.
“The additional money will enable us to continue tackling the challenges we face in dealing with the issue of rough sleeping and to improve the care provided for those affected by it.
“We will remain working in partnership with local providers including Framework Housing, P3, YMCA and Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust to ensure those who are sleeping rough within the city can find safe and settled accommodation.”