Along with partners, we’ve been given an additional £500,000 from the Government. The money will be used over the next 12 months to continue our work to help rough sleepers.
We work under the Mid Essex Rough Sleeper Initiative together with nine of the housing authorities in Essex. Our joint aim is to remove the need for anyone to sleep rough on the streets. We also want to prevent further people becoming rough sleepers.
We do this by taking support directly to people, rather than them needing to access it. Outreach workers visit people sleeping rough to build relationships. This includes helping them understand the housing system and supporting them into accommodation.
Workers provide support in line with a person's specific needs. This might include mental health support, help with substance abuse, as well as education, training and employment.
We will also use this extra money to fund key support organisations such as CHESS Homeless.
In 2024, the initiative worked with nearly 400 rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping. It also supported 332 people off the streets.
Find out more about Streetlink which can connect people sleeping rough to support.