A major £1 million funding package has been unveiled to directly combat homelessness across the West Midlands.
Targeted Support for Hundreds at Risk
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker confirmed the money, drawn from the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) programme, will provide crucial support for an estimated 700 people. This includes individuals currently sleeping rough, those at imminent risk of losing their home, and people living in temporary or insecure housing.
A total of 16 distinct projects will receive funding from this grant. Mayor Parker recently visited one such initiative, Move On, operated by Citizen from The Gateway housing scheme in Coventry. This project is dedicated to helping homeless individuals rebuild their lives.
Personal Stories of Transformation
The human impact of this support was highlighted by Steve, a 59-year-old from Coventry, who shared his journey with the Mayor. After being evicted from shared accommodation, Steve found refuge at The Gateway.
With support from Citizen, he overcame personal challenges and now lives independently in his own flat. Furthermore, Steve has become the chairman of Gateway Link, a peer support group of current and former residents who organise social activities and assist each other with practical tasks like decorating and removals.
"Before I came to The Gateway, I was in shared accommodation, surrounded by people drinking and taking drugs, and I'd become a product of my environment," Steve said. "But now I've got a far superior support network... Helping others through the Gateway Link has given me a sense of purpose, direction and satisfaction."
A Strategic Approach to a Complex Crisis
Other projects receiving a share of the RSPARG funding will offer targeted assistance for care leavers and women, as well as proactive work with landlords and housing associations to identify tenants at risk before they reach crisis point.
Mayor Parker stated: "Hearing Steve's story left me in no doubt about the devastating impact that being homeless can have... That's why I'm using this funding to give more people like him the hope they need to get themselves back on their feet."
He emphasised that while immediate support is vital, a long-term solution requires more affordable homes. "We're also making really good progress in building more social housing than ever, with 2,000 new homes already in the pipeline and more to come," he added.
The announcement comes as the region continues to grapple with high housing need. Currently, 7,000 households are living in temporary accommodation across the West Midlands Combined Authority area, while rough sleeping numbers remain around pre-pandemic levels.
