• £418,449 boost to help tackle rough sleeping
• Developing Mayor’s Homelessness Task Force
• Expanding early intervention and prevention services
• Mayor Rotheram said: “This will help us step up our efforts to stop people from reaching crisis point in the first place, and to make sure that when someone does need help, they can get the right support to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has welcomed a £418,449 boost from the Government to help tackle rough sleeping and support some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

The funding comes as part of a £69.9 million top-up to the national Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG), announced in response to ongoing pressures on homelessness services across England.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home – it’s as simple as that. But homelessness isn’t just about housing, it’s also about people’s health, dignity and opportunities.

“This funding – on top of the £8m government funding boost for the North West – is a welcome recognition of the scale of the challenge we’re facing, and of the work we’re already doing together across the Liverpool City Region to find proper, long-term solutions.

“It’ll help us step up our efforts to stop people from reaching crisis point in the first place, and to make sure that when someone does need help, they can get the right support to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.”

The Combined Authority is working closely with local councils, government officials, and partners across the voluntary, community, and faith sectors to shape packages of interventions that will make a real difference. These include:

• Strengthening cross-sector partnerships and delivery structures to support the development of the Mayor’s Homelessness Task Force and Health & Homelessness programmes
• Expanding early intervention and prevention services to stop homelessness before it starts
• Developing a regional workforce development programme to upskill staff working on the frontline
• Improving our homelessness data functions to support evidence-based decision-making
• Piloting innovative projects such as tailored personalisation support and a local connection resource

The announcement builds on the Government’s December 2024 pledge of £185.6 million to support rough sleeping services across England, including Housing First, outreach teams, accommodation, and specialist support for people leaving prison or facing mental health, immigration, or employment challenges.

The Government’s updated Homelessness Strategy is expected later in the year, which will inform future funding plans.