On 23 December 2019 the Prime Minister pledged more than £260 million to local authorities to eliminate homelessness and rough sleeping.

In response to this John Glenton, Riverside’s Executive Director of Care and Support, said: “As a major provider of services to tackle and prevent homelessness, Riverside welcomes the government’s continued commitment to addressing the shocking growth in homelessness that we have seen in recent years. Central funding is essential if local authorities are to meet the demands on their services, and we will continue to work with our local authority partners to ensure that every penny is put to the best possible use.

“There are many complex reasons behind an individual’s pathway into homelessness and this funding will sustain a range of much-needed interventions that we look forward to delivering through those partnerships. However, as our own research due to be published shortly is demonstrating, any long term solution to this national crisis must also be rooted in a national strategy to end homelessness along with a sustainable revenue funding model for supported housing and a step-change in the supply of affordable housing.”

More information on the £260 million government pledge here.