Craven District Council has been successful in winning extra funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

Using funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Cold Weather Fund, the council is now able to offer temporary accommodation to anyone who is sleeping rough during the winter months, regardless of whether they are classed as ‘in priority need’. The scheme is funded until March 31.

The council has also been awarded £146,999 from the MHCLG’s Rough Sleeper Initiative to continue running Craven Homeless Hub and supported lettings scheme in partnership with Horton Housing. The funding will also pay for a new dedicated support worker who will be based at the Hub and work with residents, supporting those at imminent risk of becoming homeless or rough sleeping.

Claire Willoughby, Craven District Council’s Housing Options Manager, said: “We’re really pleased that we have been successful in bidding for extra funding, which means we will be able to help more people off the streets this winter.

“We’re also delighted we have been awarded funding to continue the great work at Craven Homeless Hub, and to provide a new support worker. They will work in partnership with mental health and substance misuse agencies to ensure people have access to services to support and address their needs.

“We and Horton Housing are here to help and we do everything we can for people who are rough sleeping. If someone is rough sleeping, our priority is to get them off the street as soon as possible. Thanks to this funding, we are able to do even more.”

If members of the public see a homeless person they can ring the council’s housing options team on 01756 706475, or report it through Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 or www.streetlink.org.uk  

Craven Homeless Hub provides 10 units of supported accommodation, an outreach service to those on the streets, and a programme of day activities. The Hub’s accommodation is for people who are aged 18 or over, living in the Craven District, and are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping, with one or more additional needs that put their health and wellbeing at risk.

To find out more about homelessness services in Craven, go to www.cravendc.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/

To contact Horton Housing, call 01756 794882, text 07932 644973 or email pinderhouse@hortonhousing.co.uk