Since being elected as Harlow MP in 2010, Robert Halfon has lobbied the Government for more money to support the Council and Harlow-based charity Streets2Homes to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Harlow.
This week, the Government has awarded Harlow a Homelessness Prevention Grant of £575,532 to tackle homelessness in the community. This is in addition to over £2.4 million received since 2018 and will go to Harlow Council and Streets2Home to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
The Homelessness Prevention Grant will specifically offer targeted financial support to provide temporary accommodation, support those at risk of homelessness to afford deposits for new homes and enable the Council and Streets2Home to mediate and work with landlords to prevent evictions.
Recently, Robert was pleased to be invited to Streets2Homes by its CEO, Kerrie Eastman. Kerrie and her team have already helped over 238 people in Harlow and have actively prevented over 72 cases of homelessness. Streets2Homes offers outreach and day centre services to help people from across Harlow who are at risk of homelessness. Working with local agencies and Government departments, Streets2Homes helps people to secure safe and sustainable accommodation. More recently, the charity has opened two cottages in the town to offer emergency accommodation to those in need.
Welcoming the news, Mr Halfon said: “I have worked hard to secure more money for both the Council and Streets2Homes to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in our town. We must do all we can to support the most vulnerable in our community.
“It was a privilege to visit Kerrie at Streets2Home just before Christmas to see the dedication of her and the team who work tirelessly to support those in Harlow who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. I would like to pay tribute to them for the remarkable work they do to help residents facing difficulties - our community is far stronger thanks to their work.
“I will continue to do everything possible to secure more funding from the Government to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping and I would strongly encourage any resident in this difficult situation to contact Streets2Homes or the Council directly.”
