Council given £730k to tackle homelessness

More than £700,000 has been given to a borough council to reduce homelessness over the next year.

Stafford Borough Council was awarded the money – a total of £731,338 – through the government's homelessness and rough sleeper fund for 2025/26.

It will be used to pay for initiatives in Stafford, including a Citizen's Advice specialist and a supported housing scheme for former rough sleepers with complex needs.

The latter, run by health and social care charity Turning Point, has received £260,153 and includes six housing units with 24/7 staffing.

More than £38,000 has gone towards providing rough sleeper accommodation run by charity Waythrough, which offers five housing units.

The remaining £430,000 has also been used to pay for staffing for the council's Sanctuary scheme, temporary accommodation at Eagle House, a budget advice service and emergency housing repairs or maintenance.

Councillor Jill Hood, the council's cabinet member for community, said the authority worked with partners to prevent more than 1,100 households from becoming homeless last year.

"The homelessness and rough sleeper funding is being used to try and help people remain in their properties and reduce the negative impact of homelessness and financial risks to the council," she said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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