TEST Valley Borough Council has been granted almost £1 million after a successful bid in partnership with Two Saints, Vivid and Aster, which will increase opportunities for those at risk of rough sleeping.

The grant amounts to £913,125 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme.

Ten properties throughout Test Valley will be purchased by housing associations, Aster and Vivid, with specialist help for tenants provided by Two Saints accommodation support services.

During the lockdown in spring last year, the council provided temporary accommodation to people sleeping on the streets along with those who were living in unsustainable shared housing arrangements, but the council say with these extra properties available, longer-term housing can be offered.

Councillor Phil Bundy, portfolio for housing said: “During the pandemic, we worked exceptionally hard to understand and support those who wanted to come in from the streets, and to work with other people with complex needs who were otherwise unsuitably housed. Securing temporary accommodation was a big step, but this new grant award is a huge milestone and will complement our existing investment in front line services.

“We are always committed to doing everything we can to help those who need it. Providing ten further properties in the borough for people at risk of, or who may be experiencing homelessness, helps us as we move closer to our aim to end rough sleeping and provide suitable accommodation solutions for our most vulnerable residents.

“We would ask our residents to notify us if they see anyone who may be sleeping rough, via the national StreetLink service.”

For more information about StreetLink, please visit https://www.streetlink.org.uk/. If you or someone you know is worried about their housing situation, please contact our housing options team as soon as possible on 01264 368000.