Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant has announced a further £500,000 to tackle youth homelessness and rough sleeping.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
This funding has been allocated to projects which tackle rough sleeping, youth homelessness, mental health and homelessness as well as supporting people to find housing in the private rented sector.
Of the £2.6 million, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham local authorities have also benefited from capital funding to increase the capacity of emergency night provision for rough sleepers. The Cabinet Secretary’s announcement coincides with homelessness figures for April to June 2017 which, based on information from 21 of the 22 local authorities across Wales, highlight that homelessness was prevented, for at least six months, for 63 per cent of households threatened with homelessness.
The new figures show; of the 2,652 households assessed as being homeless during April to June 2017, 39 per cent were helped by local authorities to secure accommodation that was likely to last for 6 months.
Communities Secretary, Carl Sargeant said:
“The latest quarterly figures show the legislation we introduced in 2015 is continuing to help more people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
“Providing people with a safe, warm and secure home remains a key priority and I acknowledge there is more we can do; particularly for rough sleepers and those groups who are struggling to get the help they need. This £2.6 million will increase the capacity to support those most in need of our help.”