Millions of pounds to be invested into ending homelessness across Liverpool

Millions of pounds are to be invested into helping people out of homelessness across Liverpool. After being awarded £4million from the Department of Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC), Liverpool Council is handing out contracts in a bid to commission services that will help people off the streets and into accommodation.

The grant was made available through the rough sleeping initiative (RSI) – aimed at investing in services for those at imminent risk of rough sleeping, by providing a route out of homelessness, identifying settled accommodation and improving the outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in the city. The council has also taken action to reduce its use of bed and breakfast accommodation to house those in needs

According to a new report published ahead of the authority’s cabinet meeting next week, efforts have been made to commission housing support into a second stage move-on accommodation service for 52 single people with a history of homelessness, leased by Onward Housing. It is estimated the preventative service could reduce the spend on B&Bs by the council by £1m.

The report said: “Emergency accommodation remains a significant budget pressure for the council, and it is important the strategy to manage demand has an immediate impact to reduce the financial risk associated with the increasing demand for and cost of temporary accommodation.” Liverpool Council is in monthly contact with DLUHC regarding funding and future intentions, and therefore will be aware towards the end of 2024 if further funding will be made available. If not, it will issue 90 days’ notice to the providers that the contracts will end in June 2025 to limit any financial risk to the council.

Data analysis identified almost 1,300 people who accessed existing RSI services, emergency Bed and Breakfast accommodation or who were rough sleeping between April 2021 and March 2022. It identified the largest age group of those in need were individuals aged between 26 and 40, with 70% of users found to be men.

More than three quarters identified as white British, Irish or other, with just under a quarter registered as disabled. More than half were recorded as being unable to work due to Long Term sickness or disability.

The contracts will be confirmed by Liverpool Council’s cabinet when it meets at the Town Hall on Tuesday.