Prisk announces latest 'No Second Night Out' funding as temperatures plummet

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

As temperatures drop across the country, the Government today handed a lifeline to thousands of homeless people with the latest round of funding in support of its 'No Second Night Out' campaign.

More than 2,000 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on any one night in England with many facing freezing conditions over the coming days.

The £3.6 million funding, allocated across 22 communities, follows the launch of StreetLink, a new England-wide hotline and website which enables concerned members of the public to help connect a rough sleeper with local advice and services.

Since its launch on 11 December 2012, StreetLink has been contacted over 4,000 times by the public, far exceeding initial expectations - showing the public’s willingness and desire to help.

This new grant will help charities across the country to deliver the StreetLink promise to provide the first step towards connecting rough sleepers with the support available to them.

The funding comes from the £20m Homelessness Transition Fund, which is administered by umbrella organisation Homeless Link, and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government to help support the Government’s 'No Second Night Out' rough sleeping strategy.

Over 30 communities across England have already received funding to help put the right services in place so no one spends a second night out.

Housing Minister Mark Prisk said: “We have some of the strongest protections in the world against homelessness, and key to this is our £20 million investment to extend No Second Night Out across the country.

“Nobody should have to face a second night on the streets, and today’s cash will mean that local services can ensure no-one has to. And with the addition of new rough sleeping hotline StreetLink, people who want to make a difference can now take a very simple step to connect rough sleepers quickly to the help they need."

Sharon Allen, Chair of the Fund’s Grants Panel said: “Anyone can become homeless and life on the streets is damaging and dangerous. We know that some people sleeping rough may not be known to local services and not all rough sleepers are aware that advice and services are available.

“We hope this funding will ensure more rough sleepers in across the country get the support they need. You can also help, save the StreetLink number - 0300 500 0914 - on your phone right now and next time you’re concerned about someone sleeping rough, make a call.”

The money will help fund a range of services including accommodation, health, employment advice and additional outreach workers to connect rough sleepers to practical help and longer term support.

Meanwhile, a pan-London emergency shelter run by St Mungo’s and funded by the Mayor of London has been opened to offer a lifeline to rough sleepers in the capital during the freezing weather forecast for the days ahead.

When the weather is predicted to drop below zero degrees centigrade for three consecutive nights, local authorities work with housing providers on severe weather emergency provision (SWEP). St Mungo's works with local partners to provide emergency provision through outreach work and beds are set up in communal areas in existing hostels within local boroughs.

Where additional help is needed, St Mungo’s works with the GLA to open a pan-London emergency shelter. The shelter offers an emergency bed, a hot shower, clean clothes, and hot food whilst St Mungo's works to find, where possible, more permanent accommodation or move on options for people accessing the service.

Mike McCall, Executive Director of Operations at St Mungo's, said: "SWEP beds offer a vital life line for the extremely vulnerable living on the streets during these freezing nights. As temperatures drop, there is a real danger that people will lose their lives if they sleep outside.

"Our workers will be out on the streets, making contact with rough sleepers who really need a roof over their head. We are committed with our partners in the voluntary sector, central and local government to making sure that no one is out in such cold weather."

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'As temperatures plummet this shelter will offer people a warm, safe place where they can get help to make a life away from the streets. No one should have to sleep rough in freezing conditions like these and so I'm delighted to support St Mungo's and the vital service it is offering people at this time of year."

If you are concerned about a rough sleeper:
- Get in touch via St Mungo’s Street Concern service via www.streetconcern.org
- Contact No Second Night Out on 0870 3833333
- Contact national rough sleeper service Street Link on 0300 500 0914
- In an emergency, contact 999 for emergency police or ambulance services