• Labour Government reveals £84 million cash boost nationwide to help prevent homelessness and support families this winter – including over £3 million for Manchester.
• Immediate help for children and families in temporary accommodation is at the heart of the new package.

Thousands of people facing homelessness will be supported by a new £84 million cash injection to councils up and down the country ahead of winter, with Manchester set to benefit.

Children and families in temporary accommodation in will be prioritised – with the funding to go towards helping families to cover the essentials like food, school travel and laundry. The new funding unlocked by the Labour government will support children to remain in education.

It comes as record levels of households are in temporary accommodation across the country, including nearly 170,000 children. After 14 years of Conservative government, levels of rough sleeping have more than doubled since 2010.

This announcement comes on top of the Labour government’s almost £1 billion investment to tackle homelessness this year and includes the largest ever investment in prevention services, helping councils intervene early and stop homelessness before it happens.

The investment provides tailored services for those experiencing long-term rough sleeping – including mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment and sustainable accommodation – ensuring people get the help they need to rebuild their lives.

The investment supports delivery of the Labour government’s Plan for Change, in addition to:

• £950 million to increase the supply of good temporary accommodation

• Abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions through the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill

• £39 billion investment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation

Labour’s Housing Secretary, Steve Reed MP, said:

“Homelessness is a moral stain on our society. Growing numbers of people have been abandoned to sleep rough on the streets and children left in squalid, overcrowded conditions.

“This government will not stand idly by and allow that to continue. We will make different choices.

Manchester Withington MP, Jeff Smith, said:

“This funding will make a real difference for families in Manchester who are struggling this winter. I am pleased this Labour Government is taking action to supporting children in temporary accommodation and giving Manchester City Council the tools they need to address this crisis.”