Recent News
- Need Volunteer or Staff Training? Join the MKHP Training Academy now
- Do you want to make an impact and be a catalyst for change? Become a Trustee at the Milton Keynes Homelessness Partnership
- Christmas Opening Hours
- MKHP Seeks Organisations to Support New ‘Pathways to Independence’ Programme
- MKHP Seeks New Fundraising Manager
Government announce new homelessness fund - Next Steps Accommodation Programme
Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick announced Government funding plans today, making a total of £105 million available to ensure interim accommodation and support continues for those who need it most. The fund can be used to help people move into the private rented sector, extend or secure alternative interim accommodation or where possible help people to reconnect with friends or family.
From today (18 July 2020), councils and their local partners can apply for funds from the government’s Next Steps Accommodation Programme to cover property costs and support new tenancies for around 15,000 vulnerable people who were provided with emergency accommodation during the pandemic.
This funding is part of the response coordinated by Dame Louise Casey, who has been leading the COVID-19 Rough Sleeping Taskforce. Expert advisers will also be available to support local partners develop their plans for accommodation and related support services.
At a recent (13 July) Milton Keynes Homelessness Partnership (MKHP) Briefing, Head of Homelessness Prevention and Housing at Milton Keynes Council, Ellie Nickless introduced the background and aspirations of the new fund and highlighted the interests of Milton Keynes Council to work with organisations across Milton Keynes to ensure people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can benefit from the fund.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive MKHP, said “I am pleased this fund is being made available and look forward to working with Ellie and her MK Council Team to co-ordinate propositions from Partners to enable the very best possible use of funds to maximise the impact for the people of Milton Keynes.”
Last week official statistics showed that the combined efforts of central and local government, the NHS, charities and other partners to get people off the street and into safe accommodation has helped protect the most vulnerable in society and save lives.
Secretary of State for Housing Robert Jenrick MP said: “The remarkable national effort to support rough sleepers and vulnerable people during this crisis has protected many lives and I am hugely grateful to all those involved.
We now have a landmark opportunity to break the cycle of rough sleeping and ensure that people do not return to a life on the streets.
“Today I am launching the funding to ensure that vulnerable people and rough sleepers continue to have a roof over their heads and are helped into longer term accommodation, enabling them to start to rebuild their lives.”
Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, Luke Hall MP said: “There has been a colossal effort from our councils, charities and partners to provide a protective shield for the most vulnerable during this pandemic. Their efforts must not be in vain and today’s release of funding will make a huge difference by preventing thousands from returning to the streets with further support to allow them to rebuild their lives with a roof above their heads.”
Applications direct to the fund can only be made through Local Authorities. The fund is for use in 2020/21 only. The deadline for submitting applications is 20th August 2020 at 11.59pm.
If you have a proposal in Milton Keynes that you think will fit the fund criteria contact the Milton Keynes Homelessness Partnership or Homelessness Prevention at Milton Keynes Council.
Full details of the bidding process for the fund is available at Next Steps Accommodation Programme: guidance and proposal templates.
For further details on this story visit the official Government website