Kingston has secured £2.8million of Government funding to tackle rough sleeping and support some of the borough's most vulnerable people.

The three-year funding, allocated by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, is set to see the focus on early intervention for those sleeping rough and strengthening links with partners to put in place fast, effective help when needed. 

Cllr Emily Davey, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Kingston Council, said: "With the escalating cost of living crisis, freezing temperatures and increasing demands for support, protecting those most in need is our top priority. Our ambitious homelessness and rough sleeping strategy, alongside this much-needed funding, has the potential to change lives. 

"We're also building the homes that our borough needs, with the regeneration of Cambridge Road Estate starting on site and delivering over 2,100 homes, of which 941 will be affordable. 

"Our goal is to prevent homelessness and aim to end rough sleeping by 2024. By working together with partners and with the right funding, we stand the best chance of doing just that."

Kingston's funding has been allocated through the Government's Rough Sleeping Initiative which will run until 2025. The borough's homelessness and rough sleeping strategy was approved at Place Committee on 22 September 2022. 

Georgie Forshaw, Chief Executive of Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, added: "We're experiencing particularly tough times at the moment - homelessness takes many forms, with rough sleeping being the most evident. Working closely with the council and partners, we have a strong team in place to support those most in need in our communities both now and in the future."

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, please call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914 or you can register and send them an alert on their website