Over £1.34m to tackle rough sleeping this winter

This also includes specific funding for Cardiff, Wrexham, Newport and Swansea, as the four local authority areas with the most complex rough sleeping issues. The funding includes:

• £50,000 for the Wallich in Cardiff to support the emergency overnight accommodation in their shelter
• £25,000 for the Huggard in Cardiff to create a safer environment and increase the support team in their night shelter
• £33,800 for Newport Council to fund work to proactively support people who are sleeping rough into sustainable accommodation
• £54,000 for the Community Care Collaborative to develop and deliver health and social care services to rough sleepers in Wrexham, alongside housing advice, welfare advice and a range of other services
• £77,600 for Wrexham Council to develop a multi-agency model, with public sector and third sector organisations delivering joined up services to rough sleepers to encourage those people not currently engaging with services to access support to improve their health and quality of life and enable them to move to longer term accommodation
• £99,000 for a range of projects in Swansea including funding for the Wallich to develop their Rough Sleeper Intervention Team into a seven-day service.  

Julie James said: 

“This funding is part of the £30m we are investing over this year and the next to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. As the weather turns colder it is vital that the right support is available to ensure people can stay safe and warm this winter. We are working closely with local authorities and the third sector to ensure we are providing the right support to help people who are sleeping rough in Wales to leave the streets. 

“People find themselves sleeping on the streets for a range of complex reasons, and they may require a great deal of support and understanding. We are committed to supporting them to find safe and secure housing, so they can achieve their full potential.

“I want to encourage anyone who is concerned about rough sleepers to use the Streetlink App, which will alert local authorities and outreach services who can then offer help.”