A charity and housing association has been awarded a multi-million pound contract by Sutton Council to help prevent homelessness in the borough.

The deal with St Mungo’s, one of the country’s largest homelessness outreach services, will see them provide housing and floating tenancy support to around 200 people.

The charity will be working to provide services to people in Sutton who are living in a mix of housing, the council says.

This will range from a high support assessment hub through to semi-independent housing which are regularly visited by staff.

Cllr Jayne McCoy, the council’s deputy leader, said: “We're supporting an ever-increasing number of homeless people, like councils across the country, especially in London.

“St Mungo’s will help us make sure single, vulnerable adults can continue to live independently. Increasing rents, low incomes, changes to the welfare system and personal challenges mean more vulnerable people face eviction.

“We're ambitious for all Sutton's residents, whatever their situation, and working with St Mungo's will help us provide the employment, education and training support our most vulnerable residents need.”

St Mungo’s, whose contract with the council is worth £2.8 million over three years, will also manage a tenancy support service, supporting residents in their homes as a way to prevent homelessness from happening.

The service will comprise properties in nearly 40 sites across the borough and have a support team working in several offices to “maximise support”.

It was being managed previously by three organisations – Peabody, Penrose and Thames Reach – before staff were transferred over to St Mungo’s.

Gemma Goacher, St Mungo’s regional head, will manage its implementation and oversee the service, according to the council.

She said: “This is an exciting project as we’ll be directly helping around 200 people to sustain their tenancies and prevent people from becoming homeless.

“This will be the first time St Mungo’s has been able to work with people in Sutton and our aim is to offer a great housing service to existing and new clients providing the right support at the right time.”