Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Cold Weather Fund to support councils get rough sleepers off the streets will be available; and how that funding will be distributed in London.

The Government recently announced a new £10 million Cold Weather Fund to support councils in helping rough sleepers off the streets during the winter by assisting them in providing more self-contained accommodation. We have written to local authorities to set out how they can access the Cold Weather Fund. Applications should be made by 4 December.

We have also announced a £15 million Protect Programme to support the ongoing efforts to provide accommodation for rough sleepers during the coming winter months. This programme will help areas that need additional support most during the restrictions and throughout this period. London is one of the areas to receive support under the Protect Programme.

This is alongside an additional £2 million for faith and community groups to help them provide COVID-19 secure winter accommodation for rough sleepers, and comprehensive guidance to the sector, produced with Public Health England, Homeless Link and Housing Justice to help shelters open more safely, where not doing so would endanger lives.