Today (Friday, 10 October), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced an investment of £84 million in additional funding to be provided to local and strategic authorities across England for homelessness and rough sleeping services.
Sheffield has been allocated £1,514,612 in total – the majority of which will be spent on tackling rough sleeping through the Council’s Housing Service alongside their many partner organisations in this area.
Some of the areas being targeted include
- £1,308,678 from the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, of which a minimum of £261,000 will be used to support interventions in the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) in Sheffield
- £164,136 to support children in temporary accommodation through a Homeless Prevention Grant
- Around £42,000 will be managed by Public Health to promote treatment of alcohol and drug use among those experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping
Sheffield’s grant allocation represents a valuable boost to the resources available for use during the current financial year to address homelessness. As a Council we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the wider Sheffield partnership to identify important priorities.
Sheffield City Council’s Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, Cllr Douglas Johnson
Some of the priorities that are intended to be focussed on include:
- Funding for innovative delivery models aimed at preventing rough sleeping and facilitating earlier access to support
- Enhancing capacity and improving access to accommodation within the private rented sector
- Dedicated funding for children in temporary accommodation to offer enrichment and access to vital activities
- Collaborate with the VCFS to enhance targeted support for individuals experiencing rough sleeping who have multiple and specific needs
- Fund specialist advice and guidance to professionals who work with individuals experiencing homelessness, through psychological methods designed to support person-centred and trauma-informed practices.
Unfortunately, the demand for homelessness assistance in Sheffield remains high.
However, notable progress has been achieved in prevention measures and in reducing reliance on emergency accommodation, which we understand is not always the right environment for people.
The additional funding will be directed towards sustaining these improvements and enhancing outcomes for individuals who require support and guidance. This is about improving life chances for anyone who faces sleeping rough. We all want to end homelessness.
Cllr Douglas Johnson
The financial boost will also help Sheffield City Council to work even more closely with the wider Sheffield homelessness partnership and alongside those with lived experience of homelessness to determine the most effective and impactful use of these funds.
The news marks World Homelessness Day 2025. This international day serves as a platform to celebrate good work, benchmark progress, and advocate for improved policies and funding that can help prevent and end homelessness.
World Homelessness Day also aims to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience homelessness and promote work in local communities.
For more on World Homeless Day, visit the dedicated website.
If you are at risk of or are already experience homelessness or rough sleeping, or you have concerns about somebody else who may be, you can get advice and support from the Sheffield City Council website or from the Sheffield Directory.
