A FUNDING boost will help tackle homelessness in Coventry.
The city has received £893,000 in government funding to help reduce homelessness and rough sleeping.
It will be used to support families in temporary accommodation, expand local drug and alcohol treatment services, and strengthen rough sleeping prevention and recovery work across the city.
Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised, with funding going towards essentials such as food, school travel, laundry, and Wi-Fi.
The funding will also provide tailored services to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, including mental health support, community partnerships, and sustainable accommodation.
Coventry’s £893,000 allocation – part of the government’s £84million national package -will target children and families in temporary accommodation; expanding drug and alcohol treatment services for those at risk or experiencing rough sleeping; and strengthening rough sleeping prevention and recovery work – including partnerships with charities, enhanced housing support, and expanded mental health and outreach services.
Taiwo Owatemi, MP for Coventry North West, said: “Homelessness and rough sleeping are real and growing challenges in Coventry. Every year I support residents who fear losing their home – and many more are just one unexpected event away from the same position.
“This funding will make a real difference by ensuring people in crisis get the support they need, from temporary accommodation to help with addiction or mental health.
“No one in our city should be left without a safe place to sleep or the chance to rebuild their life, and I’m proud this Labour Government is taking action to make sure of that.”
The funding comes as record numbers of households are in temporary accommodation nationwide, including nearly 170,000 children.
A government spokesperson said: “After 14 years of Conservative government, rough sleeping has more than doubled since 2010, including a 46 per cent rise in Coventry from 2023 to 2024.
“The funding builds on the Labour Government’s £1billion investment this year to tackle homelessness, including the largest ever investment in prevention services to help councils intervene early.”
