Trafford Council’s promise to fight homelessness in the borough has received a boost.
The Council has been successful in winning a bid totalling £237,526 from the Government as part of the Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI).
The RSI funding will be used to provide a tenancy support worker, a personalisation fund, more emergency accommodation and transport support. Trafford will also benefit from a full time rough sleeper outreach worker, a psychologist, a dual diagnosis worker and funding for two workers to help with complex cases.
An innovative new mobile health unit will also be provided as part of the funding. The unit, which will be placed in different areas across Trafford, is extremely important as staff running it will be able to provide on-the-spot medical care to any homeless person who needs help.
Trafford Council housing staff will now work closely with colleagues from public health and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to discuss the allocation and what needs to happen going forward. The cash will also help to support Trafford Council’s corporate priorities to support people out of poverty and reduce health inequalities in the borough.
Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods, said he was delighted. Cllr Wright said: “This is fantastic news and means we will have more funding to continue our commitment to tackle homelessness in Trafford. The extra cash means we will be able to provide extra staff to help people who find themselves in the awful position of being homeless.
“We have always said we will do everything possible to tackle homelessness and this extra funding will, clearly, help us no end. I look forward to taking part in the discussions about the new mobile unit which is a massive boost for us. Thank you to everyone who took part in the bid to win this money from the Government.”
Posted on Wednesday 21st September 2022