Decision details

Approval to enter into a grant agreement with Community First to deliver two 

dedicated Building Bridges Officers to work withRough Sleepers and single homeless clients who areaccommodated in housing related supported accommodation as part of the Council’s Rough Sleeper Initiative funded by central government 

I approve entering into a grant agreement with Community First to deliver two  dedicated Building Bridges Officers as set out in this report.

This decision was published on 4 March 2024, and will come into effect on 12 March 2024.

The decision was made to create two Building Bridges Officers dedicated to work with rough sleepers and single homeless clients who are resident in our housing related supported accommodation schemesas this will help achieve the Council’s aim to prevent rough sleeping, and where it does occur, promote a quick recovery from a period of homelessness. As part of the Government’s aim of eradicating rough sleeping, coupled with the current cost of living crisis, it was felt integral that a dedicated resource was available to those who have rough slept to support them into education, employment or training opportunities.  

TheDepartment of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have offered Wiltshire Council grant funding to promote the Council’s interventions relating to the prevention and recovery of rough sleeping. The Council had considered that they had sufficient resources to support rough sleepers to move into and sustain a tenancy however, there is little targeted intervention available for rough sleepers to support them into work, education, training or volunteering. 

As part of the grant funding approval process, the Council had to consult with their Rough Sleeper Adviser at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The Council also engaged with third party organisations to obtain their views on how the funding is best used.