Extra funding to help council give housing support to ‘vulnerable’ people in Northampton

A total 274 local councils across the country will share the Government pot of £91.5 million, which will allows the authorities to offer interim accommodation and support for the most vulnerable people; to help young people into the private rented sector; and secure short-term accommodation such as supported housing.

And Northampton Borough Council will receive £607,400 from the scheme, which is known as the Next Steps Accommodation Programme.

The borough council has been using one of the University of Northampton’s halls of residence to accommodate rough sleepers since July, with a deal being struck to continue using it until the end of November.

In his latest report to council, cabinet member for housing Councillor Stephen Hibbert said: “Since the end of March, 162 men and women have been provided with emergency accommodation for at least one night. Of these, 92 had been sleeping rough for a long time, 39 had been sleeping rough for only a short period of time and 31 had never slept rough but were at imminent risk of having to sleep rough.”

Announcing the funding yesterday (September 17), Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP, said: “This funding will ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have safe accommodation and the care and support they need, to ensure as few as possible return to the streets.”