News

The Government gives councils £3.2m to support rough sleepers with COVID-19

Local authorities will be reimbursed for providing accommodation to help people living on the streets self-isolate, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced

Rough sleeper

A £3.2 million pot will be made available to councils to ensure that rough sleepers are protected from the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has announced, after campaigners called for space to self-isolate.

All local authorities in England will be reimbursed for the cost of providing accommodation and services that will allow people sleeping rough a place to stay if they feel that they may have symptoms of the virus.

The emergency fund is in addition to the £492m committed across 2020 and 2021 to end rough sleeping by 2024 as is the Government’s stated aim.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick made the announcement this afternoon after campaigners called for space to be made available for people with nowhere else to stay to self-isolate.

The Government also updated the guidelines for rough sleepers yesterday, stating that if a homeless person becomes unwell while in a day centre but has nowhere to go, they should “be isolated temporarily in an area of the day centre” while staff contact the local authority.

And that public health, housing and social care teams should work together to “identify appropriate local solutions for people who don’t have anywhere to self-isolate”.

But today’s announcement gives local authorities more power to protect people who are forced to sleep rough.

“Public safety and protecting the most vulnerable people in society from coronavirus is this Government’s top priority,” said Jenrick. “We are working closely with councils and charities to ensure they have the support they need throughout this period.

“The initial funding that I’ve announced today will ensure councils are able to put emergency measures in place to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society to successfully self-isolate.

“I would urge anyone who is concerned about someone sleeping rough to use the Government’s StreetLink app to alert local support services who can reach out to those in need at this difficult time.”

The Museum of Homelessness, a Big Issue Changemaker, is among several groups who have been working hard to come up with a plan to help homeless people in recent days.

“We need to make single units with bathrooms available because of the viral load,” MoH co-founder Jessica Turtle told The Big Issue. “That means if unwell people are in close proximity – for example, in a big shared sleeping space – they’ll become more unwell. It’s a cumulative effect, it isn’t a case of you’ve got it or you haven’t.”

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'
Water bills

Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?
Free school meals/ Easter holidays
Free school meals

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'
Renters Reform Bill
RENTING

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
council tax/ houses
Cost of living crisis

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know