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<p>At the beginning of the crisis, our priority was to urgently bring vulnerable people
inside so they could self-isolate and stop the virus spreading. We backed this with
£3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities to support vulnerable rough
sleepers, and a further £3.2 billion to help councils to manage the impacts of COVID-19,
including supporting homeless people. The £3.2 billion funding is not ringfenced and
can be used across any local services facing pressures, including rough sleeping.</p><p>On
24 June we announced that we are providing local authorities with a further £105 million to
enable them to best support the c15,000 people placed into emergency accommodation
during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is on top of the £433 million which we
announced on 24 May to provide thousands of additional long-term homes for vulnerable
rough sleepers. This commitment will help to ensure that as few of these people as
possible return to the streets. The funding will cover a range of interventions, from
moves into the private rented sector, to extending or procuring interim accommodation such
as hotels or student accommodation and supporting individuals to reconnect with friends
or family. This could also include provision for people eligible through the suspension
of the derogation or support to return home.</p><p>It is at the discretion of local
authorities to decide who they can support, whether this is British citizens or foreign
nationals. The rules relating to eligibility, including those for individuals with
no resource to public funds, have not changed. Local authorities must use their judgement
in assessing what support they may lawfully give to each person on an individual basis,
considering that person’s specific circumstances and support needs. Local authorities
already regularly make such judgements on accommodating individuals who might otherwise
be ineligible, during extreme weather for example, where there is a risk to life.
The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times and expects local authorities
to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise unnecessary risks to
public health, acting within the law.</p>
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