Epping Forest has been handed a share of £300,000 to accommodate rough sleepers this winter with a second coronavirus wave looming.
The district is one of five across Essex to benefit from the cash following a successful bid to the Next Steps Accommodation Programme.
The Programme is a government scheme to help rough sleepers who are brought into emergency accommodation in response to Covid-19 and to support efforts to avoid them returning to sleeping rough.
Government officials hope the scheme will reduce rough sleeping across England in the long term.
The funding, which covers will help cover costs until March next year, will enable the council to provide interim accommodation for rough sleepers over the winter months whilst also providing support to address the range of problems which have led to homelessness.
Cllr John Spence, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Thanks to positive collaboration with our district and city partners we are delighted to have been successful in our bid. By working together, we can make a real difference in addressing the problems of homeless rough sleeping in Essex with the long-term aim of eradicating it completely.”
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