Residents of Mansfield district who are at risk of becoming homeless or who are homeless are set to benefit from funding towards vital prevention and continued support.
Mansfield District Council has been awarded £187,407 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which will be used to deliver the council's Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
The strategy, which runs until 2024, was launched on 5 June and aims to:
- Prevent as many residents as possible from becoming homeless.
- Ensure that if anyone has to sleep rough, it is brief and does not happen again.
- Help as many residents as possible to move seamlessly from one home to another without the need for emergency or temporary accommodation.
- Provide a good quality service that customers are highly satisfied with.
This sum is in addition to two successful funding bids secured in partnership with other Nottinghamshire districts. The Rough Sleepers Initiative awarded the county with £450,000 to continue to support homeless outreach services already in place and enhance this provision by employing a prescribing Nurse and Social Worker.
The Rapid Rehousing Pathway awarded the county with £546,796, of which Mansfield will secure a significant amount to secure additional supported housing for those with complex needs.
The funding will support efforts to work with private landlords to access accommodation and a service to support landlords considering seeking possession. In addition, three Homeless Navigators will be situated within institutions around the county, such as at hospitals, mental health facilities and prisons to direct people to support.
The decision to accept the latest funding was recently made by Cllr Craig Whitby, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Finance.
Cllr Marion Bradshaw, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
I'm delighted to have been awarded this funding, which will assist us in tackling the very difficult and complex issues involved in homelessness.
The money will enable us to continue working with our partners to provide support for our most vulnerable residents and those at risk of becoming homeless. We will also work more closely with private landlords so they can contribute to helping to reduce homelessness in the district.