Government to make £3.3m homelessness funding available

Homelessness charities running night shelters will soon be able to apply for a share of £3.3m in government funding.

The investment is the next funding round of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ night shelter transformation fund.

This is aimed at helping charities and other homelessness support organisations running shelters to provide more beds and expand their services.

Already more than £9m has been handed out in the first round, to 80 organisations over three years.

A prospectus on eligibility criteria and further details will be launched in “a few weeks”, said the government.

“Night shelters are often the first step for rough sleepers to get off the streets and turn their lives around, providing a safe place to sleep and access to support,” said housing and homelessness minister Felicity Buchan.

“I’m delighted to announce this £3 million boost to the fund which will be life-changing for rough sleepers up and down the country.”

We will be awarding £3.3m through the Night Shelter Transformation Fund to help rough sleepers into accommodation.

Working alongside our partners Homeless Link and Housing Justice, this funding will help more people off the streets.

Find out more here: https://t.co/ny2GpBGvFY pic.twitter.com/HZTpaF9KCi
— Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (@luhc) May 18, 2023

Among charities already supported in the first funding round is Gravesham Sanctuary, which accessed capital funding to increase a house from four bedrooms to seven to better offer emergency accommodation.

“Night shelters are an important first step for people experiencing homelessness,” said Gravesend Sanctuary trustee Carol Webster.

“Our transformed shelter enables guests to stay a few weeks or months until their move into settled accommodation.”

Grant holders are supported by the charities Homeless Link and Housing Justice.

“Being able to offer dignified accommodation makes a huge difference to our members’ work to end rough sleeping and reduce the need for emergency shelters,” said Homeless Link chief executive Rick Henderson.

“We are extremely pleased to hear that the government is making additional funding available, ensuring that even more people will be able to benefit from this essential initiative.”