City council says extra support in the pipeline for people at risk of homelessness

Vulnerable families, young people, the elderly and others at risk of not having a roof over their heads are to get millions of pounds of extra support from Swansea Council in the year ahead.

As communities emerge from the pandemic, the disabled, people with mental health problems and others with learning disabilities will be getting support to help keep them from losing a place to live.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet has been told the council has secured an extra £4.4m in Welsh Government grant to help prevent homelessness in city communities.

It will bring to almost £18.5m in council spending in the coming 12 months on housing support grant to transform homelessness prevention programmes and prioritise those most at risk of losing their homes.

Almost £3.5m is being earmarked to support those with mental health issues, with another £3.2m for those with learning disabilities. Young people aged up to 25 with support needs will get £2.5m and a further £3.1m will be shared between single people and the elderly at risk of losing their homes or needing other kinds of housing support.

Clive Lloyd, Cabinet Member for adult social care and community health services, said: “The extra resources from Welsh Government as we emerge from the pandemic is very welcome. We will be able to do more for those who most need our support.

“Most of the money from the grant is allocated to partner organisations providing services direct to those most in need of them.

“Alongside the council teams they have worked tirelessly and relentlessly during the pandemic to protect and support people with very complex needs and to help them keep a roof over their heads.

“Our aim is to prevent homelessness and where it can’t be prevented ensure it is rare, brief and un-repeated.

“The council is proud of its commitment to ensure that anyone who needs a place to live and wants a place to live will be supported by us to have the confidence, capability and skills to maintain a stable and suitable place to live.”

Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy and Service Transformation, said the extra support would help boost the council’s rapid rehousing initiative for those who urgently need somewhere else to live.

It would also support projects set up locally with charities, partnerships and housing associations aiming to address housing problems experienced by people with mental health and other issues.

Cllr Lewis said: “Over the lifetime of this pandemic the council and its partner organisations have pulled out all the stops to prevent homelessness and support the most vulnerable in our communities fearing they might lose their place to live.

“Young people leaving care, adults with mental health issues and elderly people who are at risk of losing their homes are getting the housing support they need during these challenging times.

“It doesn’t need to be said that safe, secure accommodation is the starting point for anyone looking to manage their lives and get or hold down a job.

“Our rapid rehousing teams are there to help maintain continuity in people’s lives at times of great stress or challenge. It is a difficult and challenging job but we are determined that as we emerge from the pandemic, no-one is left behind.”