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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what financial support the Government plans to offer to homelessness service providers facing (a) increased demand and (b) reduced fundraising income during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by those who are homeless or sleeping rough during the Covid-19 outbreak. We are working closely with local authorities and the sector to minimise the risk for vulnerable people and as a first step we have announced £3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to help?rough sleepers and those at risk of sleeping rough to self-isolate.?

A further £1.6 billion of additional funding will be allocated to local authorities to enable them to respond to Covid-19, including stepping up support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people.

We will be working closely with local authorities to develop an ongoing assessment of costs.