City to receive £1.4m to tackle homelessness

The funds are part of a wider cash boost announced by the government

Birmingham will receive £1.4m from the government to tackle homelessness this winter.

The money for Birmingham City Council will partly be used to support its Indoors Campaign - which helps long-term rough sleepers find a safe place to stay.

Funding will also go towards helping children and families in temporary accommodation to cover essentials like food, laundry and school travel.

The cash is part of a new £84m cash boost nationwide for the cause, announced by the government on Friday.

The authority unveiled its major strategy to tackle the issue last year, and set out its priorities until 2029.

"The Labour government is committed to ending homelessness and rough sleeping," said councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness.

"Through this additional funding we will be able to continue our work here in Birmingham to prevent homelessness, support children and families in temporary accommodation, and help rough sleepers to get a roof over their heads.

"This funding will help us to build on the work of our Indoors Campaign, where we brought 20 organisations from across the city together to help long-term rough sleepers to find safe accommodation."