£700,000 to help tackle homelessness in County Durham

Durham County Council (DCC) is set to receive £753,013 through the Government’s Homelessness Prevention Grant for 2021/22.

The cash comes with the freedom for officials to use it in whatever way they think will keep roofs over heads.

Stuart Timmiss, the county council’s head of development and housing, said: “The grant is provided to us annually and contributes towards a number of key services such as paying for temporary accommodation or housing deposits for those in need.

“It also helps us to provide a housing advice line and take action to prevent homelessness.”

The initiative is part of ministers’ ‘Everyone In’ campaign to keep people off the streets during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the first national lockdown, DCC was able to ensure at least 24 rough sleepers were found accommodation as a result of the measures.

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