New funding to tackle homelessness in Coventry
Funding is part of a £5.5m West Midlands plan to offer people sleeping rough a roof and support this Christmas
Coventry is to receive £815,000 to help tackle rough sleeping as part of a West Midlands-wide commitment to offer everyone sleeping on the streets a roof over their head this Christmas.
More than £5.5 million has been secured from the government, with funding being distributed to the region’s seven councils for accommodation and support.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker announced the funding while visiting Coventry City Council’s Rough Sleepers Outreach Team, which works across the city supporting vulnerable people and those sleeping rough.
Mr Parker said: “When you hear the stories of people sleeping on the streets you're in no doubt about how quickly homelessness can strip away your health, confidence and opportunities. Its impact can be devastating, but it does not have to define your future.
“This money from the Prime Minister will do more than put a roof over someone’s head this Christmas. It will give people the stability and support they need to rebuild their lives"
The money will help provide accommodation alongside support with housing, health and other needs, while also helping prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.
The latest annual snapshot recorded 158 people sleeping rough across the West Midlands – around 5.1 per 100,000 people, below the England average of 8.2.
The funding announced today is in addition to the £18m agreed by the WMCA Investment Board to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Birmingham and Coventry.