Watford Borough Council were pleased to announce it has been successful in obtaining funding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for rough sleepers after the COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year.
Despite a huge volume of bids for the limited pot of funding, Watford secured £235,240 to help its most vulnerable residents.
The money will pay for:
- Increased levels of support for ex-rough sleepers who were given accommodation at the beginning of the pandemic in March to enable them to remain off the streets and assists them to move on in 12-18 months and live more independently.
- Humanitarian and accommodation support for a range of other rough sleepers that will help ensure they are protected throughout the winter months, whatever the weather, and help break the cycle of homelessness which many face.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “No one in our town should have to sleep rough. During this global pandemic, the team at Watford Council have worked closely with local charities to make sure that there is more accommodation available for people who need it.
“With autumn now upon us, and winter quickly approaching, this funding will mean that we can help those in the community who have fallen on hard times and found themselves sleeping on the street.
“Our aim is not to just get people off the streets for a night – we want to break the cycle of rough sleeping and help people make changes for the long term. That’s why proactively seeking out extra funding such as this is so important.”
In putting the bid together, the council worked in full partnership with and support from One YMCA, Watford Community Housing and New Hope.
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