Council given £1m funding to fight homelessness

A council has been awarded £1.1m in government funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

Dorset Council said the money would improve prevention services, help people access accommodation sooner and provide new homes for people with a long-term history of sleeping rough.

Cabinet member for housing and homelessness Gill Taylor said: "Everyone has a right to a home, and nobody should have to sleep rough."

The announcement follows neighbouring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council receiving £4.7m through the government's rough sleeping programme.

Dorset Council said it would work with community organisations, housing providers, health partners and support agencies to ensure residents received help at the earliest opportunity.

It plans to make greater use of data and intelligence to identify households that may be at risk, allowing earlier intervention and more personalised support.

Taylor added the aim was to give people "the skills and opportunities" to deal with their circumstances and build stable, independent futures.

The authority said its homelessness prevention performance continued to exceed the national average.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping when entering Downing Street in July and now says he wants "to get everyone in for Christmas".