£240K boost to tackle homelessness in Trafford

Trafford council has been handed nearly £240,000 boost to tackle homelessness in the borough. The cash is from the Government as part of the Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI).

Some £237,526 will be used to provide a tenancy support worker, a personalisation fund, more emergency accommodation and transport support. Trafford will also benefit from a full-time rough sleeper outreach worker, a psychologist, a dual diagnosis worker and cash for two workers to help with complex cases.

A new mobile health unit will also be provided as part of the scheme. Staff running the unit, which will be placed in different areas across Trafford, will be able to provide on-the-spot medical care to any homeless person who needs help. Council bosses say housing staff will now work closely with colleagues from public health and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to discuss the allocation and what needs to happen going forward.

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The money will also help to support Trafford council’s corporate priorities to support people out of poverty and reduce health inequalities in the borough. Coun James Wright, Trafford Council’s executive member for housing and neighbourhoods, described the granting of the funding as "fantastic news".

He went on: "This means we will have more funding to continue our commitment to tackle homelessness in Trafford. The extra cash means we will be able to provide extra staff to help people who find themselves in the awful position of being homeless.

“We have always said we will do everything possible to tackle homelessness and this extra funding will, clearly, help us no end.