£335k to help support ‘hidden homeless’
PILOT TO HELP CITY’S VULNERABLE
SERVICES helping people who are facing homelessness due to domestic abuse, violence or exploitation have been awarded £335,000 in government funding.
Leicester City Council received the funding as part of £3.7 million pilot scheme to fund short-term, emergency accommodation alongside 11 other UK council areas.
The Respite Rooms Trial Programme aims to help the “hidden homeless” in Leicester who are some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
It could also help to shape services going forward.
With the £335,000, Leicester City Council will bring together elements of its rough sleeping work services and domestic and sexual abuse support to strengthen the services already on offer, as well as explore different ways of providing the best help.
Councillor Sarah Russell, deputy city mayor responsible for domestic abuse services, said: “The Respite Room programme will give us a unique opportunity to pilot a new way of identifying and meeting the needs of those vulnerable to rough sleeping due to domestic abuse.
“As well as allowing us to enhance our current provision, it will provide us with further insight into how our services could be shaped as we go forwards.” Nationally, the £3.7 million funding will create a total of 140 bed spaces and support an estimated 1,100 people over the trial period. As well as providing singlesex spaces for victims, it will also offer expert support from charities tackling violence against women and girls.
Although the bed spaces are for short-term stay, as part of the programme people will also be helped to access suitable long-term accommodation.
Leicester assistant city mayor for housing, Coun Elly Cutkelvin, added: “This is an exciting development that demonstrates our commitment to helping some of our most vulnerable residents - often referred to as the hidden homeless and we look forward to seeing the difference this pilot can make to the people of Leicester.”
It will give us a unique at identifying and meeting the needs of those vulnerable to rough sleeping Coun Russell