Homeless service could be at risk due to cuts

BHT Sussex said its East Sussex Floating Support Service worked with 5,497 people in 2023

A homelessness prevention service says it could be at risk because of possible council funding cuts.

Housing association and homeless charity BHT Sussex says it fears for its East Sussex Floating Support Service amid an East Sussex County Council consultation on proposals to address a £55m funding gap in next year's budget.

The council's current savings and reconfiguring proposals include significantly reducing funding for housing-related support services and not renewing contracts for drug and alcohol recovery services.

Nikki Homewood, director of advice and support services at BHT Sussex, said: "If these cuts go ahead, many more people will become homeless."

'Extremely difficult choices'

She added: "With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and record numbers of people living in temporary accommodation, homelessness prevention services like ours are needed more than ever."

The charity said its service, which supports people facing housing-related issues, worked with 5,497 people in 2023 and prevented 1,342 households from becoming homeless.

BHT Sussex said that although its East Sussex Floating Support Service could be under threat, the charity itself is not at risk of closing.

Council leader Keith Glazier said: “We have some extremely difficult choices to make, and we are having to carefully consider every possible option to address the significant shortfall we face next year."

He added that the council would still help everyone entitled to support under the Care Act.

The consultation ends on 28 November and a final decision will be made by councillors in February.