Blackpool awarded £2.86 million in government funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

It’s brilliant news that Blackpool will receive £2.86 million in government funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the 2025/26 financial year. This represents an increase of £875,000 over the previous year’s funding, and forms part of a broader £1 billion national investment aimed at addressing homelessness across the country.

This funding is critical for the ongoing efforts to prevent homelessness in Blackpool, reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation, and provide essential services to those who are currently sleeping rough. I know from speaking to constituents and working with local organisations that the impact of homelessness in our town is a crisis that requires urgent and sustained action.

Of the £2.86 million, the breakdown includes:

• £1.54 million for the Homelessness Prevention Grant, which will directly support services that prevent homelessness and provide relief for families and individuals at risk.

• £443,000 for Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery, aimed at supporting people who are currently rough sleeping or at risk of returning to the streets.

• £877,466 for Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services, which will offer much-needed specialist treatment and recovery support for rough sleepers dealing with substance misuse.

Homelessness is not just a statistic – it's about people. It’s about the families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads and the children who have to grow up in temporary accommodation. The numbers in Blackpool are stark. Around 341 people are estimated to be homeless this year, including 157 children. And last autumn, we saw a troubling increase in rough sleeping, with 21 people found sleeping on our streets – up from just seven the year before, the highest figure recorded since 2010.

Earlier this month I raised the issue of homelessness in Parliament, calling for more funding and support to tackle the crisis here in Blackpool. I’m so pleased to see this funding boost and the government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as a lack of affordable housing and addiction services.

This funding will not only help families avoid the devastating impact of homelessness but will also give rough sleepers the chance to rebuild their lives with the support they need. It's a vital step forward in tackling this issue head-on. The government’s wider strategy to prevent homelessness includes early intervention measures, mediation services to avoid evictions and tailored support for vulnerable groups like prison leavers and those dealing with addiction.

I’m also pleased to see the government’s commitment to abolishing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, a reform I’ve long called for as a critical part of addressing the homelessness crisis.

The funding we’re seeing today is part of a larger, national effort to combat homelessness, with councils across the country receiving almost £1 billion in funding for the next year. It’s the largest cash boost ever to tackle homelessness and it’s a clear sign that the government is taking action to end this crisis.

Blackpool will receive its share of the funding in spring 2025, and I’m confident it will make a tangible difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

The work to end homelessness is far from over, but today’s announcement is a crucial step forward.