Decision details

The report seeks approval for the Council to accept a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) of £609,704 to reduce rough sleeping in Sheffield and sets out proposals for how the funding will be used.

Agreed:

That approval be given for the acceptance of £609,704 funding grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to reduce rough sleeping in Sheffield for a period from early July 2020 until 31st March 2021

That approval be given for the implementation of the spending plan as set out in the report.

The grant from the MHCLG covers some of the costs we incurred from the additional requirements due to COVID 19 from the 1st of July 2020 to 31st March 2021. It will allow the Local Authority to ensure anyone placed during ‘Everyone In’ can remain in the accommodation until a more suitable housing option is found.

Compared to most core cities the number of rough sleepers in Sheffield is relatively low. However, numbers have increased both locally and nationally. The Council and partners are successful in preventing people from becoming homeless and helping the majority of people off the streets quickly. However, the Council decided to bid for the funding to enable a tailored and bespoke approach for those considered ‘vulnerable and entrenched in rough sleeping’. The current activity focussed on prevention and reducing rough sleeping will continue and develop, while this additional funding enables the Council to facilitate a community wide approach to resettle people and prevent further homelessness and rough sleeping. Without this funding there is a risk of rough sleeper numbers increasing.