Government announces initial emergency funding of £3.2 million to help people who are sleeping rough to self-isolate

18 Mar 2020 11:12 AM

On Tuesday 17 March the Government announced initial emergency funding of £3.2 million to help people who are sleeping rough to self-isolate during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The funding will be available to all local authorities in England and will reimburse them for the cost of providing accommodation and services to those sleeping on the streets to help them successfully self-isolate to prevent the spread of the virus.

Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, comments: 

“We are pleased that the Government has heeded calls from the homelessness sector and acted to ensure that people sleeping rough or in night shelters are supported to self-isolate effectively. The lack of available accommodation or safe spaces was previously a huge concern.

“We urge local areas to establish a taskforce of voluntary sector and grassroots groups that can take swift and coordinated action, setting up an effective protocol for supporting their most vulnerable people and directing the money to where it is needed most, according to local context.

“Further initiatives are needed to ensure that people – whether homeless on the streets, in hostels and shelters, or using day centres – are able to self-isolate, and to access testing and treatment should their condition deteriorate.”