Councils in Wales given extra £10m funding to provide accommodation for homeless people during coronavirus outbreak
The Welsh Government will provide an extra £10m of funding for use by councils to protect homeless people during the coronavirus outbreak.
The money will allow councils to secure empty student accommodation, hotel rooms and B&Bs for use by rough sleepers to self-isolate and follow public health guidance on social distancing.
Announcing the funding, Housing Minister Julie James said the money will ''ensure people who are, or are at risk of, sleeping rough, and those who are in inadequate temporary accommodation, have the support and resources needed to protect themselves during the outbreak.''
Councils have also been asked to direct funds to secure accommodation for victims of domestic abuse and asylum seekers, who are currently prevented from receiving housing support.
Katie Dalton, from Cymorth Cymru, said: ''We really welcome the additional funding to help secure accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness, violence and domestic abuse, including those with no recourse to public funds.
''It is essential that people in the most vulnerable positions are protected during this pandemic and have the ability to self-isolate. We hope this funding enables people without a home to access the safe accommodation, hygiene facilities and support they need”
More funding for councils during the coronavirus outbreak is expected to be announced in the coming days.
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