Over £1million of funding has been secured to acquire accommodation units in East Lindsey and Boston to prevent homelessness as part of the next phase of the Governments COVID19 response.
Both Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council will work with Framework Housing Association to deliver additional units of accommodation through the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme making accommodation available longer term for those who have been accommodated during the pandemic and for current and future rough sleepers on a longer term basis (30 years).
£443,800 of funding will deliver six units of accommodation in East Lindsey and £739,297 will deliver ten units of accommodation in Boston Borough.
These units will be available for occupation by March 2021 and will be prioritised for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping.
Councillor Martin Griggs, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities at Boston Borough Council said; “Since the start of the pandemic the council and its partners have made massive efforts to shield some of our most vulnerable from coronavirus, with more than 20 placements into temporary accommodation and of these just over 50% into more sustainable accommodation.
“This funding will also allow us to build on that progress and keep more people off the streets while avoiding the use of temporary accommodation, which also can make social distancing extremely difficult for residents.”
Councillor Wendy Bowkett, Portfolio Holder for Communities at East Lindsey District Council, said; “Nobody needs to sleep rough across Boston or East Lindsey. Our teams and partners tirelessly support people to ensure that they do not need to sleep rough and that they have accommodation options available to them and this work has continued throughout the COVID19 pandemic. It is great to have been successful in securing this funding which will enable the teams to accommodate and support people who find themselves sleeping rough”.
Andrew Redfern, Chief Executive of Framework Housing Association said; “We are delighted to be working with East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council on the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme. This new initiative will build on our existing partnership with the two authorities, to improve the range of housing options available for people who find themselves sleeping rough. I would like to thank Council colleagues for the hard work they have put in to secure these significant funding allocations. Hopefully there will be further opportunities to work together in the future, with a shared commitment to reduce homelessness and end rough sleeping.”