The government will continue in its attempts to end rough sleeping through a new joined up approach involving charities and councils, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said recently.
The new plans will look to build on the ‘Everyone In’ programme, working with bodies including local NHS trusts, Public Health England and councils.
These support services hope to tackle the causes of rough sleeping such as healthcare and substance misuse, and will utilise the local partnerships that were developed during lockdown as a means of helping rough sleepers off the street.
The government committed £310 million in funding to tackle homelessness back in December of last year, a £47 million increase on previous levels.
"At the beginning of the pandemic we took swift and decisive action to bring rough sleepers in from the streets and settled into longer-term accommodation in record numbers," Jenrick said.
"The results are clear and a huge credit to all involved. Ending rough sleeping is a personal mission for the Prime Minister and me – and we have made huge progress since he came into No.10, reducing rough sleeping by 43 per cent.
"We must ensure we build on this progress as we recover from the pandemic and continue our tight-knit work with partners across the sector to offer all rough sleepers a chance to sustain a life off the streets."
Yvonne Lewis Group is an example of an organisation within the business community that has looked to help the homeless during lockdown, becoming involved in the Single Homeless Project.
The UK-based recruitment and staffing firm helped rough sleepers across London, a process that business development strategist Lewis Akpofure explained in a recent post on LinkedIn.
"During the first lockdown Yvonne Lewis Group were heavily involved in providing staff to support organisations such as Single Homeless Project in order to provide a safe place and support for hundreds of homeless people in various hotels across London," he said.
"As the months have passed, it is great to hear the success stories and the positive impact that this has had on so many people. Well done to all involved.
"To my extended network, if you need assistance in any of your services whether it be relief over this holiday period or your workforce have been quarantined due to positive testing, please reach out me as we may be able to help."
