Earlier today, Stephen wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, asking that she extend funding for the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI).
The RSI provides targeted support for frontline services who work directly with people who sleep rough on the streets. The initiative was introduced in 2018. The current funding package, which began in 2022, is due to end in Spring next year. Many charities and local authorities are concerned that this might put thousands of homeless people at risk.
A number of constituents have been in touch with Stephen over recent weeks. They have asked ministers to extend the initiative and provide wider funding to tackle homelessness in the UK. Stephen's constituents have noted that over 324,000 households were at risk of homelessness last year, with nearly 4,000 people sleeping rough each night. They have warned that without extra funding, almost a third of services may have to close.
Having sent the letter, Stephen said, "The Rough Sleeping Initiative has been an important tool in tackling homelessness. It is important that we build on projects that have established themselves in the last few years.
“I hope that ministers will consider the calls being made by my constituents in East Ham, and charities like St Mungo's, as we look to tackle the problem of rough sleeping together."