Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced a further £203 million for councils to help get rough sleepers off the streets and into safe accommodation.
The funding will pay for support projects such as shelters, specialist mental health or addiction services, as well as targeted support to help rough sleepers off the streets.
Councils, charities and other local groups will be able to use the money to fund 14,500 bed spaces and 2,700 support staff in England.
The funding is part of an overall £750 million package to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping this year.
Cllr David Renard, LGA Housing Spokesperson, said: “We want to work with government on a cross-departmental homelessness prevention strategy to make the success in getting rough sleepers off the streets during the pandemic the new normal, rather than a one-off emergency response, and end rough sleeping.”
Meanwhile, the Government has also announced that the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions will end on 31 May.
Notice periods, previously extended to six months during the pandemic, will be set at four months from 1 June. Subject to public health advice, notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from 1 October.
Cllr Renard said: “We recognise that the ban on eviction enforcement, which provided vital reassurance to renters during the pandemic, cannot continue indefinitely. However, councils remain concerned over the potential rise in homelessness, and the pressure this will add to already over-stretched services.
“It is vital there is a plan in place to support and protect households to stay in their homes.”
