Funding boost for rough sleepers in the Horsham District

Horsham District Council and its partner agencies are enhancing their services to end rough sleeping in the Horsham District following a successful funding bid.

The substantial funding of £317,717 has been awarded from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and will enable existing outreach services (delivered by Turning Tides on behalf of the Council) for rough sleepers to be extended and additional new services to be launched.

The funding bid saw Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council join together to increase opportunities for learning, impacts and joint positions across both districts facing common challenges for those rough sleeping.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan said:

“As a council we are determined to tackle homelessness, as well as its causes. In fact we are committed to stamping out rough sleeping in our District by 2027.

“We have worked hard to secure this extra funding and are delighted that the Government has recognised our bid.

“This considerable funding will make a significant difference to the positive work that is already underway with our various partners across the District and support us in introducing new initiatives for the future.

“The districts of Horsham and Mid-Sussex have worked together closely to develop this joint funding bid and have an excellent working relationship based on the recognition of shared challenges and goals.

We expect to start putting the funds to use as soon as possible and will be ready to mobilise the improvements by Spring 2020.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community Matters and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan

The funding will:

*  Enable specialist provision for mental health support through the joint recruitment of a Mental Health Practice Lead to cover Horsham and Mid Sussex

*  Enhance outreach coordination capacity to effectively cover and support both areas, enabling us to reach and engage higher numbers of those rough sleeping across the region, particularly the “hidden homeless” and those that have traditionally been difficult to reach

*  Increase outreach provision across the districts enabling us to connect with rural rough sleepers and those who are currently completely disengaged from services

* In addition, specialist services for the client group will be implemented.

There are several ways that residents and visitors can already help rough sleepers:

• Report those visually rough sleeping to Streetlink. If you are concerned about someone over the age of 18 that you have seen sleeping rough in England or Wales, you can use this website to send an alert to StreetLink. The details you provide are sent to the Council and Outreach Service, to help us find the individual and connect them to support.
• Donate to rough sleepers specific needs contactlessly in Horsham through terminals in Crates, Candybox, The Capitol, Waitrose and John Lewis. Horsham District Council’s Homeless team are in partnership with local community group Horsham Matters and non-profit organisation Greater Change to help combat homelessness in the Horsham District, giving local residents and visitors a more effective way of donating directly to people living on the streets.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .