The initial emergency funding came after Labour set up a new dedicated inter-ministerial group, headed by Angela Rayner and working across healthcare, justice and education systems, to focus on tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.
Ministers said they opted to allocate more funding for 280 councils, including all London boroughs, over health concerns for people on the street.
Those experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping are eight to 12 times more likely to die prematurely, particularly from chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and those sleeping rough during winter are at even greater risk of ill health and long-term sickness.
The funding will go towards warm beds, hot meals and medical treatment as well as supporting specialist programmes for vulnerable groups sleeping rough, including veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse.
Big Issue founder Lord John Bird said: “Whilst this funding will provide much needed respite to those already on the streets, the government must act with the same urgency to plug the constant flow of more and more people being driven into rough sleeping in the first place.
“I strongly welcomed Labour’s commitment for spend on homelessness prevention measures before Christmas and urge them to act swiftly in making these plans a reality. Only prevention can finally turn the tide of homelessness in this country.”
Labour has already announced that it is looking to shift towards prevention in the longer term to tackle what ministers call “a complete failure in the housing crisis inherited by the government”.
Almost 360,000,000 households approached their council for help with homelessness in England last year, while record numbers of families are living in temporary accommodation, including around 160,000 children.
The government announced almost £1bn funding for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping before Christmas, including the largest-ever investment in homelessness prevention services.
Ministers announced over £633m will be made available under the homelessness prevention grant – up £192m on previous spending levels – as well as pilots to reduce bed and breakfast usage for emergency accommodation in 20 areas.
Labour hopes that scrapping section ‘no-fault’ evictions, limiting Right to Buy and building 1.5 million homes will ease the housing crisis driving homelessness.
“We know this alone will not plug the gap,” she said, announcing the additional winter rough sleeping funding.
“That’s why nearly £1bn is being pumped into council budgets for this year to help us break the cycle of spiralling homelessness. Our new dedicated inter-ministerial group is working across government to put in place long-term solutions.
“This is just one branch of our Plan for Change to fix the housing crisis, deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation, and end no-fault evictions. These are the first of many steps we are taking to get back on track to ending homelessness once and for all.”
Reacting to the government’s announcement, John Glenton, executive director of Riverside Care and Support, said Labour should announce ring-fenced homelessness funding in the summer’s comprehensive spending review as well as invest in social housing to tackle homelessness in the long-term.
Housing secretary Rayner has promised “the biggest wave of social housing for generations” but has declined to set a target for how many social homes will be delivered.
“At a time when rough sleeping in London has reached record levels this additional £20m of funding will help provide much-needed bedspaces this winter,” said Glenton.
“As we look towards the comprehensive spending review this year, what the homelessness sector is really crying out for is long-term, ring-fenced funding which will enable councils to invest more money in long-term homelessness services and homelessness prevention.
“We believe increased long-term investment in supported housing would provide more spaces to help get more people off the streets and out of temporary accommodation into a dedicated space where they can receive the support they need.
“To tackle the housing and homelessness crisis in England is it imperative that the government increases the supply of social housing.”
Sean Palmer, executive director of transformation at St Mungo’s also welcomed the announcement.
“This funding is much needed, the current levels of rough sleeping are shamefully high and continuing to rise,” he said.
“St Mungo’s will continue to bring people in from the cold and provide a warm place to stay, while supporting them to find routes out of homelessness and to rebuild their lives.
“Beyond responding to this winter’s rough sleeping emergency, we are pleased to be working with the government on developing its new strategy to end homelessness for good. Crucially, a commitment to long-term, sustainable funding is needed to support the delivery of strategic and joined up services so rough sleeping can be prevented in the first place.”
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