COUNCILS across Yorkshire & Humber will share more than £2.5 million extra funding to help get people off the streets and into accommodation.

Bradford Council will get £191,000 as part of the deal announced by Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire MP.

The money forms part of the Government’s £100m Rough Sleeping Strategy and will be used to fund rough sleeping coordinator roles, add new or additional outreach services and extend existing or provide new temporary accommodation. This includes night shelters and hostel spaces. There is also an opportunity to provide housing-led solutions such as Housing First services. This funding includes £12m for districts like Bradford not covered as Rough Sleeping Areas.

Across the region, it is estimated that the extra money will provide funding for up to 59 new staff and 85 additional bed spaces.

Mr Brokenshire said: “The £100m-backed Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out this Government’s blueprint for ending rough sleeping for good across Yorkshire and Humber and the rest of the country. We are taking the necessary steps to make that happen, already providing 2,600 additional beds and 700 more support staff for the most vulnerable people in our society. But we must keep up the momentum and that’s why we are giving this funding to areas and projects that need it, ensuring progress continues to be made and people are given the help they need to turn their lives around.”

Leeds City Council will get £386,000 as part of the new money, £131,250 for Kirklees and £35,000 for Calderdale.

This is all part of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative, launched last spring, which is providing over £45 million to councils over the next two years to support rough sleepers in their area off the streets and into secure accommodation where they can get the help they need to rebuild their lives.