EMERGENCY funding has been launched to support Bournemouth's rough sleepers this winter.

Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch has one of the highest proportions of rough sleeping outside of London. Rough sleeping is on the rise across the country, increasing 27% last year.

The Deputy Prime Minister has announced an emergency £216,000 fund for the area as part of a £10 million package for rough sleepers across the country this winter. 

he funding boost aims to save lives this winter by ensuring rough sleepers have access to safe and warm beds.   

The deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: "Anyone forced to sleep rough on our streets represents a complete failure of the broken system we've inherited. It's a national disgrace, and we can't keep sticking plasters on it.   

"We are approaching the harshest months of the year, so we are taking immediate action to reach Anyone sleeping rough and help them off the streets this winter.   

"Bringing together Ministers across government is a crucial step to tackle this crisis at its root, to ensure everyone has access to the basic right of safe, secure housing."

The funding has been targeted to areas that are most in need and can be used to provide support to vulnerable individuals sleeping rough, including veterans, care leavers, and victims of domestic abuse, and to help prevent people from returning to the streets.

The Homelessness Minister, Rushanara Ali, will work directly with mayors and closely with the homelessness sector, leading a new stakeholder group, bringing together experts and listening to frontline voices to build a long-term strategy and ensure homeless people in BCP get the support they need.

Section 21, 'no fault' evictions will be abolished through the Renters' Rights Bill, immediately ending one of the leading causes of homelessness.

In addition, the government plans to significantly increase social and affordable housing, introducing £500 million in new funding to the Affordable Homes Programme and aiming to support up to 5,000 new social homes.

BCP Council will also be allowed to retain 100 per cent of receipts from all Right to Buy sales, providing more opportunities to reinvest in social housing for families.

Cllr Kieron Wilson, BCP Council portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, said: “We know that rough sleeping affects people in our communities who, due to often very challenging circumstances, find themselves without anywhere to live and are unable to improve their situation without support.

 “Our objective is to work alongside our partners across the conurbation to support anyone who is currently rough sleeping to remove barriers to a safe place to stay.

“We are discussing with our partners how this additional funding can be used to support those already rough sleeping and those at significant risk of immediate homelessness.”