Oxford City Council is poised to agree a £1.65 million grant aimed at curbing rough sleeping and single homelessness.
The fund, set to be granted at the Council's next meeting on March 13, will be invested in preventing homelessness grants that assist the Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance as well as other service providers in Oxford.
Annually, the Council contributes £1,911,399 to Oxfordshire Homeless Alliance which includes a sum of £968,580 for preventing homelessness grants.
The remaining funds are sourced from the Government's Rough Sleeper Initiative funding.
The Alliance utilises these funds to provide 233 beds throughout Oxfordshire, available for those at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness in Oxford.
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The Council provides 180 beds, including 35 housing first homes, bringing the total availability to more than 400 beds.
The Council will also be assigning a grant of £281,750 for supported accommodation at Matilda House, currently managed by A2Dominion.
To accommodate people experiencing homelessness during harsh winter conditions, £30,000 will be allocated to provide additional emergency shelter.
Grants earmarked for positive activities sum up to £113,678 which includes funding for The Porch Day Centre and The Gatehouse café.
These establishments offer showers, laundry facilities, food, education and a variety of activities.
A £30,000 grant dedicated to preventing homelessness supports the sanctuary scheme for victims of domestic abuse.
Other recipient organisations of the grant, amounting to £230,421 in total, include the Council’s rough sleeping and single homelessness team.
The grant also ensures free access to leisure centres for previous homeless individuals currently living in supported housing.
Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing said: "Nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxfordshire.
"Our £1.65 million investment in preventing homelessness grants will help ensure Oxfordshire Homeless Alliance continues to work collectively and effectively to prevent and reduce rough sleeping across our county."
She added: "It takes more than a roof to end homelessness.
"People also need the right support to sustain a tenancy and prevent a return to the streets.
"The Alliance's 'housing led' approach is delivering good results in helping people off the streets permanently and our investment will help them keep up their great work."
Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance, launched in April 2022, runs on an annual budget of £3.8m.
It aims to reduce and prevent homelessness across the county.
Commissioned jointly by Oxfordshire's six councils and the Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Service, the Alliance aims to provide a comprehensive solution to homelessness by pooling outreach, accommodation and prevention services from various organisations.
The Alliance is made up of Aspire, A2Dominion, Connection Support, Elmore Community Services, Homeless Oxfordshire and St Mungo's.
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