Over £3 million of funding to support vulnerable rough sleepers will be shared between 16 London boroughs, including Richmond Borough.

The government funding will help support vulnerable people off the streets and into safe accommodation, where they can rebuild their lives.

Boroughs will use the investment to fund schemes which help those sleeping rough into a new home, as well as specialist support to help them back on their feet.

The investment will also be used to set up team of ‘Navigators’ – specialist support workers who will work tirelessly as a single point of contact to help people off the streets and into recovery.

Boroughs could also use the funding to establish dedicated lettings agents for rough sleepers, which provide homes and advice for those sleeping on the streets, supporting them into affordable and settled accommodation.

A Richmond Council spokesperson said: “We welcome this extra funding from the Government which comes following a successful bid from the Council.

"The funding will help support a range of initiatives we have in place to support rough sleeping in the borough.

"Anyone who is concerned about someone sleeping rough or if you need help please get in touch with SPEAR, who will be able to offer the right support.”

Housing and Homelessness Minister Heather Wheeler MP said: “No one should ever have to face a night on the streets, and as a government, we are taking steps to ensure people are never faced with this as their only option.

“These are vulnerable people who need specialist support to get back on their feet and turn their lives around.

“The funding announced today will ensure those sleeping on the streets across the capital have access to professional help and guidance to start their recovery, helping to build on the government’s ambition to end rough sleeping for good.”

Zac Goldsmith MP said: “No one should have to face a night on the streets, and I’m pleased to see the Conservative Government taking steps to provide support for people in Richmond Park and North Kingston. 

"This new support will mean vulnerable people in our community get the specialist support they need to get back on their feet and turn their lives around.

"We are determined to end rough sleeping for good, and this investment takes us another step further to reaching this outcome.”

This funding forms part of the £100 million Rough Sleeping Strategy, which was published in August 2018.

This strategy sets out to support up to 6,000 vulnerable people, helping them get rapid specialist assessments and off the streets and into a home.