MP Andrew Pakes says he is working closely with local charities and Peterborough City Council to highlight a £182,000 funding boost for the city “as part of a Labour initiative to help shield families from homelessness this winter”.
He said the extra cash will support struggling individuals to avoid homelessness or rough sleeping, with the city council able to intervene early to prevent evictions and secure accommodation.
The MP said: “This is another welcome boost to tackling homelessness and preventing rough sleeping in Peterborough. We can all see the visible signs of when the system breaks down with rising rough sleeping in parts of the city.
“Homelessness is a preventable tragedy. The last government got this wrong, cutting council budgets too far and too fast, making it harder for families to get emergency help when they need it.
“We need to be doing all we can to end the scandal of families turning to B&Bs, emergency accommodation or indeed, living on the streets.”
Mr Pakes said the funding brings the total Winter Pressures Funding for homelessness and rough sleeping to £60 million this year, with an additional £30 million allocated to bolster resources at councils.
“This will enable them to act swiftly when negotiating with landlords, covering emergency rent shortfalls, and ensuring people can live in safe and secure housing,” he said.
“For Peterborough, this week’s announcement takes the total extra funding up to £392,000 for use this winter. The city is also set to receive £4.5 million next year as part of the Labour Government’s initiative to help councils tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
“For councils, this emergency funding means fewer people reaching crisis point and ending up on the streets, freeing up resources and easing demand on our social services, healthcare, and emergency housing teams.”
The extra funding was also welcomed by Peterborough City Council Cabinet member for housing and communities Cllr Alison Jones.
She said: Homelessness has no place in our society,” she said. “During their nighttime patrols, our council’s Homelessness Outreach Team provides accommodation support, food, water, mental health services, drug and alcohol counselling and sometimes most crucially, someone to listen.
“In doing so they have heard some of the most tragic stories imaginable and met some of the most amazing, kind, diverse and resilient people. It is their wish and mine, that we will meet less people under such circumstances.”
She added: “This funding will help make that a reality and it should be celebrated.
“We would like to thank local partners like the Light Project, Salvation Army, and many others who work tirelessly alongside the council to support families and individuals in need.”
