New multimillion pound support for rough sleepers across West Yorkshire

People sleeping rough across West Yorkshire could be off the streets by Christmas following multimillion pound investment announced today aimed at tackling rough sleeping.

The Combined Authority, led by Mayor Tracy Brabin, has today (Monday 26th October) committed £3.7 million to provide accommodation and targeted support for people with the most complex needs across the region.

According to government data, at least 141 people are thought to be experiencing rough sleeping every night across the region.

This funding follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s national drive to provide a route off the street for everyone by Christmas as part of a new nationwide rough sleeping programme. The programme supports Mayor Brabin's wider ambitions to tackle homelessness and the housing crisis, helping to ensure everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

“I’ve always said everyone should have a warm, safe, and secure place to call home, and with the winter fast approaching, it’s only right we step in with support for people who need it most.

“Rough sleeping has become far too commonplace, and we must do everything we can to make sure nobody is forced to sleep rough in West Yorkshire. This is a positive step towards ensuring people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping can access the safe accommodation and support they need.

“Together with our partners, we are committed to strengthening local efforts to support people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.”

This short term funding comes as the Combined Authority works to develop a strategic regional response to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, backed by £10 million secured through West Yorkshire's first Integrated Settlement last year.

Working alongside local authorities, the funding announced today will support tailored local approaches that help people experiencing rough sleeping access the accommodation and support they need.

Councillor Stephen Place, Leader of Bradford Council said: 

“We welcome this funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which will add real momentum to our work supporting people sleeping rough across the district.

"Alongside our partners, we are working tirelessly to make sure everyone sleeping rough in Bradford is offered a route off the streets by Christmas. Our Homeless Outreach Partnership won this year's LGC Award for Housing, which shows what can be achieved working in partnership.

"But our aim is not just to help people off the streets, it is to make sure they stay off them, by tackling the root causes of homelessness and supporting them into settled homes."

Councillor Keith Ingle, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration said:

“Everyone wants a place to call home.  That’s why providing permanent, good quality, safe and affordable homes for the people of Calderdale, is one of our five priorities, which we’re delivering through our Corporate Plan.

"The funding allocated to Calderdale will help us ensure that those without a place to call home will have somewhere safe, warm and secure to live whilst we work with them to find the home they need and deserve.”

Councillor Philip James, Cabinet Member for Housing and Physical Communities, said:

“Kirklees Council is committed to supporting local people who need our help and that includes making sure everyone has a safe place to call home. This funding will help us continue the good work our teams and partners already do to prevent homelessness and support people sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping.

“We have made significant progress in reducing the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and strengthening homelessness prevention services, but we know there is more to do. This investment will help us work with local partners to provide accommodation, support and a route into settled housing for some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Councillor Asghar Khan, Leeds City Council executive member for housing and hubs said:

"We are very pleased to welcome this additional funding to support some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds, those rough sleeping.

“Through the Leeds Street Support Partnership and services commissioned by Leeds City Council such as the Crypt, St Annes, Change Grow Live (Street Outreach team) and BARCA-Leeds, we are committed to offering people the help they need as well as safe and secure emergency accommodation.

"This extra funding will enable to us build on this work with the aim of ensuring no-one feels they have no choice but to sleep rough in Leeds. If anyone has concerns for the welfare of a person sleeping rough they are asked to contact StreetLink via StreetLink - Connecting people sleeping rough to local services.”

Councillor Ansar Hayat, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Health said: 

“This funding will help us to continue our work with partners to help rough sleepers in our district. We want to see vulnerable people moving away from life on the streets and to be able to access accommodation with the care and support they need.”

Editors’ notes:

Funding has been allocated to the five local authorities in West Yorkshire so they can decide how the funding is spent across their cities and towns at a local level. The Combined Authority will also receive some of the funding which will go towards regional co-ordination.

• Bradford - £688,194

• Calderdale - £255,991

• Kirklees - £470,045

• Leeds - £1,641,767

• Wakefield - £535,691

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority - £111,083

• Total - £3,702,771