A further £383,323 of funding to support services for those sleeping rough has been secured for Bedford Borough from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Last year a number of new services were announced that would help rough sleepers in Bedford, these included:
- Additional outreach workers
- 44 more units of accommodation
- 20 new emergency beds available over winter
- A specific rough sleeper co-ordinator post
The new funding will help these services continue for another year.
MP for North East Bedfordshire, Alistair Burt welcomed the news: “The Rough Sleeping Initiative is having a significant impact on the number of people sleeping rough.
“I welcome this further funding which will enable the local authority to continue to support more people off the streets and into safe and secure accommodation”.
Read: A third fewer rough sleepers in Bedford as homeless hostel celebrates first year
Mayor Dave Hodgson added: “The continuation of these additional services is excellent news. These new measures have proved their value over the winter in terms of the amount of additional help, support and shelter that has been provided for rough sleepers.
“Rough sleeper numbers have fallen in Bedford Borough and we are committed to doing all we can to help maintain that progress, alongside excellent local charities and other partners.”
