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19
Aug
'Now we can do so much more': Harrogate Homeless Project welcomes new government commitment
Harrogate Homeless Project has welcomed new government commitments to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
Andy Burnham said he wanted to end rough sleeping when he became Prime Minister in July.
This was followed by an announcement this morning (August 19), of £102 million of funding to provide accommodation for every homeless person in the UK over Christmas.
The charity Harrogate Homeless Project said the funding allotted to the Harrogate district through all new schemes will amount to £547,000 over the next three years.
Chief executive Richard Cooper called the move a "truly significant step". He told the Stray Ferret:
This is significant investment that helps our charity provide the onsite services needed by those we support.
It means we can make big progress towards supporting more of those who are ready to take the first steps back to long-term independent accommodation. I thank the Prime Minister for taking this truly significant step.
The government will fund local support services in Harrogate through its extended Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.
The servives include improvements to accommodation for entrenched rough sleepers, such as replacement bathrooms at Harrogate Homeless Project's hostel, and improved facilities at its Springboard day centre.
More funds will also be provided to tackle drug and alcohol addiction amongst those supported by the charity.
It will also go towards removing barriers to independent living – for example, providing furniture and covering furnishing expenses, as well as supporting programmes offering assistance with everyday living skills, such as cooking and budgeting.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham had previously made similar commitments to end rough sleeping during his time as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Mr Cooper said:
Over our 35-year history we have helped hundreds of people from the streets into work, a house and a new life. Now we can do so much more.
But it isn’t the end. There are more services we need to provide. There are services we need to provide more intensively. There are services we need to provide over a longer time.
The charity will host its annual Big Harrogate Sleepout fundraiser at Harrogate Rugby Club on October 3, in partnership with Belzona and Harrogate Spring Water.
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