Doncaster Council to strengthen rough sleeping team after cash boost from Government
Deputy Mayor says tackling homelessness remains a “key priority” for the council
The City of Doncaster Council will strengthen its team tasked with overseeing the city’s efforts to end rough sleeping, after an injection of cash from the Government.
It follows the receipt of a £125,000 grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s Long-Term Rough Sleeping Innovation Programme, which works to “reduce and ultimately end long-term rough sleeping”.
A new job, to be called either a homelessness coordinator or homelessness strategic lead, is expected to be funded entirely by the grant and will be responsible for aligning the multiple agencies across Doncaster working with and for people experiencing homelessness.
Councillor Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor of Doncaster and cabinet member for environment and housing, said: “City of Doncaster Council takes an empathetic and compassionate approach towards rough sleeping, and we are committed to making sure that people in our communities who are rough sleeping have access to the support they need.
“Our dedicated Starting Point Service provides on-the-ground support through a team of frontline caseworkers, helping people access the assistance they need at the earliest opportunity. Earlier this year, we also opened the Welcome Centre in the city centre, providing a safe and supportive environment where people can access help and be connected with additional services and support.”
He said the new grant from the MHCLG would enable the council “to build upon that work”.
“The funding will help us build on the progress already being made across Doncaster, strengthening partnership working, improving our understanding of local need, enhancing engagement with people experiencing rough sleeping, and developing more flexible pathways into accommodation and support,” he said.
Part of the responsibilities of the new job will be to develop new pathways to help people who are “unable to engage with or sustain traditional accommodation and support offers”.
Cllr Jones added: “Tackling rough sleeping requires a coordinated response across a range of services and organisations, and this remains a key priority for the council. This funding will help us build on existing work and continue improving outcomes for people experiencing rough sleeping in Doncaster.”