Council’s receive £176K grant for homeless scheme “No Second Night Out”

22 February 2013

South Lakeland District Council has received Government funding totalling £176,000 on behalf of all the district councils in Cumbria to launch a scheme called No Second Night Out.

No Second Night Out is a nationwide initiative that aims to prevent and tackle rough sleeping amongst single people.  The funding has been provided to the whole of Cumbria with SLDC chosen as the accountable body on behalf of all six local authorities in the county.  A county wide steering group has been set up to plan how the grant will be used in the best way to ensure single homelessness across Cumbria is addressed.   

To take part in the scheme, all the councils must work towards the No Second Night Out standard, which includes identifying new rough sleepers and helping them off the street so they do not become established rough sleepers.  Members of the public are also encouraged to play an active role and report anyone they suspect is sleeping rough by calling Street Link on 0300 500 0914 or using the website at http://www.streetlink.org.uk/. 

No Second Night Out will ensure that rough sleepers are offered help, emergency accommodation, have access to a place of safety and be offered advice and other services such as healthcare if necessary.  If they are from another area of the UK or country, one of the aims of the scheme is to reconnect them to their local community if this is appropriate.  This is so that they can they have contact with family and friends and are able to access services that will help and support them find a home. 

Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson, SLDC’s Deputy Leader, said: “SLDC in common with all other district councils in Cumbria do not want anyone to have to sleep rough and are committed to doing everything to prevent homelessness because it ruins people’s lives. Preventing homelessness is a major priority for all the council’s across Cumbria and this new scheme will help to tackle the issue.  Members of the public who suspect someone may be living on the streets should contact their local council or Street Link, as it may save a life.” 

Councillor George Clements, Chair of the Cumbria Housing Executive Group,added: “We welcome this opportunity to work in partnership across the county to tackle an issue that affects each district.  This is an opportunity for local authorities to take positive steps to ensure that support and accommodation is provided to some of the most vulnerable people on our communities.”