Barking and Dagenham to receive £7m to combat homelessness

Barking and Dagenham Council is set to receive more than £7 million from the Labour government up until 2026 to help prevent and address homelessness.

Labour MP for Barking, Nesil Caliskan, commented on the financial boost.

She said: "This additional funding will help ensure more families do not find themselves homeless.

"The Labour government is fixing the housing crisis we inherited."

This nationwide initiative sees nearly £1 billion being allocated to council budgets, intended to break the cycle of increasing homelessness.

The funds will be directed towards providing more resources for frontline workers who are essential in getting rough sleepers off the streets and into stable housing.

Additionally, the investment aims to reduce the number of homeless families living in temporary accommodation.

The funding will also allow councils to intervene earlier to prevent households from becoming homeless.

This includes mediation with landlords or families to prevent evictions, assistance in finding new homes, and deposits to access private renting.

Housing secretary Angela Rayner added: "Too many people have been failed by the system time and again.

"160,000 children face spending this Christmas without a stable place to call home.

"I am determined to break the cycle of spiralling homelessness and get back on track to ending it for good."

Ms Rayner also spoke about the broader strategy to combat homelessness.

She said: "This investment marks a turning point, giving councils the tools they need to act quickly and put in place support for people to tackle, reduce, and prevent homelessness.

"It’s time to turn the tide.

"Through our Plan for Change I am determined to tackle the housing crisis we inherited head on, building the homes we need, delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation and ending no fault evictions."