To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Government funding for winter 2019 of £13 million for the Cold Weather Fund for rough sleepers, for what reason the Government is providing £12 million to keep rough sleepers safe during winter 2020.
Answered on
22 October 2020
On 13 October, the Government announced additional support for rough sleepers this winter, giving local areas the tools they need to protect people from cold weather and the risks posed by COVID-19. This builds on the existing package of support and funding and includes: a new £10 million Cold Weather Fund for local areas to bring forward self-contained and COVID-secure accommodation; and, a new £2 million Transformation Fund for the faith, communities and voluntary sector to move away from their traditional communal models. Regarding communal spaces, we have published operating principles for the sector, produced with Public Health England and Homeless Link, which should be observed in any area where a shelter is required to open as a last resort, where not doing so would endanger lives.