Homelessness charity Action Housing has welcomed Government’s funding boost to reduce rough sleeping.

Since 2019, it has been working closely with Mansfield District Council and partners in a pioneering project called First Steps to help permanently reduce rough sleeping in the district.

This scheme has been supported by the Government’s Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme since it was launched last year.

So far the Government has shared out £350m to Registered Providers across England — including Action Housing — to provide a total of more than 5,700 homes.

This extra funding will allow Action Housing — in conjunction with supportive local private landlords — to provide a further 10 homes along with the vital wraparound support frequently needed by people who are either already sleeping rough, or who are homeless and at risk of ending up on the streets.

As a housing association and leading homelessness charity, established in 1977, Action Housing specialises in working with vulnerable young people, victims of abuse, and those with mental illness or substance misuse challenges.

Suitable accommodation and specialist support helps them off the streets and gives them an opportunity to turn their lives around by ending their cycle of addiction, offending and sleeping rough. The charity encourages clients to access other services, opportunities and meaningful occupation, thus deterring cycles of hopelessness and risky behaviour which can lead back to homelessness.

In order to provide these life-changing opportunities in Mansfield, Action Housing is seeking to lease 10 safe, warm and suitable homes from private landlords.

In return, landlords will be offered:
Five-year fixed term lease
Full rent covered for the period of the lease
Property maintenance and management
Damages repaired at no cost to the owner
No void periods

Support delivered to the tenant with daily property visits to ensure the property is kept clean, tidy and in a good state of repair.

If you’re a landlord who would like further information, email [email protected].