London hostels invited to bid for cash to help homeless » Housing » 24dash.com

Organisations helping the homeless in London are being invited to bid for a share of £450,000 to help rough sleepers make a permanent move from the streets, Communities Minister Iain Wright announced.

The money is available to projects taking part in the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme (HCIP).

There are 65 projects in the capital.

The new funding will provide trainers and tutors, lifeskills and employment projects in hostels to help rough sleepers gain vital skills and qualifications and is part of a £90 million improvement programme which is transforming hostels into modern places of change.

Iain Wright said: "Ten years ago it was common to see large numbers of people sleeping on the streets in all of our towns and cities. Today those numbers have been dramatically reduced. This has been achieved through the hard work and commitment of the voluntary sector and statutory agencies.  But we need to do more to help people in hostels access routes into education, employment and ultimately sustained independent living.

"That is why I am today announcing new funding to do just that. Homeless people will gain the skills and training they need to build a new career and a life away from the street."

The 'Activating Places of Change' fund will be run by Homeless Link, the umbrella organisation for frontline agencies working directly with homeless people, on behalf of the Department.

Bids are being sought by hostels that have received Hostels Capital Improvement Programme funding.

Homeless Link Chief Executive Jenny Edwards said: "The voluntary sector plays the lead role in helping homeless people make a successful journey away from the streets and to build settled lives. More and more hostels are becoming places of change and are a critical part of this journey. The sector's active partnership with central and local government is the root of the successes seen so far.

"We are delighted to be managing the Activating Places of Change fund on behalf of Communities and Local Government and look forward to seeing its contribution to the culture change in our hostels."

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