Shropshire rough sleeping schemes awarded £3.4m

The funding will provide supported accommodation for 42 rough sleepers at a time

Shropshire Council has been awarded more than £3m to reduce rough sleeping in the county.

The money, from the government's Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP), will provide supported shelter for 42 people, according to the authority.

The programme is aimed at single rough sleepers and younger people aged 18 to 25 at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

The councillor responsible for housing, Dean Carroll, said: “I am delighted that we have received this funding to help some of our most vulnerable residents."

Shropshire Council said the money would fund three schemes providing personalised support for residents "until they are ready to take the next step to independent living".

It has already given planning permission for the conversion of a former care home in Shrewsbury which will house up to 25 people as part of the scheme.

The other locations have not been disclosed.

The government announced the funding scheme in August to increase the supply of supported accommodation and address gaps in homelessness services.

It said the aim was to facilitate "recovery, self-development and independent living" among the targeted groups.