Taunton Deane Borough Council has welcomed a cash boost from central government to help tackle the problem of rough sleeping.
The Council has been awarded £231,590 after making a successful bid for money from the Rough Sleepers Initiative Fund. It will pay for specialist support to assist rough sleepers into accommodation and through the transition to independent living.
Cllr Jane Warmington, Executive Councillor for Community Leadership, said: “There is no easy way to resolve the issue of rough sleeping, however, the steps we are taking as a multi-agency team are starting to make a real difference and this new funding will give us extra resources to help us reduce the levels of rough sleeping. It is a welcome boast to our efforts and recognition that we are committed to addressing this issue in Taunton.”
Taunton Deane Borough Council is working with partners including the Police, ARC (formerly Taunton Association for the Homeless), The Open Door, Somerset County Council and other support agencies to ensure that appropriate and necessary steps are being taken with every individual rough sleeper prioritising those that are causing anti-social behaviour.
The ‘One Team’ approach is working both proactively and reactively to identify and address the issues of rough sleeping, begging and anti-social behaviour and develop a joined-up service for rough sleepers to help them break the cycle of homelessness and addiction.
Image courtesy of Freepix – Alan Knight
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