THE Isle of Wight Council is to receive extra government cash to tackle homelessness, housing minister Grant Shapps has revealed.
The authority is to receive a £122,276 Homelessness Prevention Grant over the next two years to support services that help people who are homeless or in danger of losing their home.
They include outreach services to help get rough sleepers off the streets and into accommodation, and rent deposit schemes helping homeless people get accommodation in the private rented sector.
Nationally, around £160 million is being made available.
Mr Shapps also confirmed that a website and telephone service available by Christmas would allow members of the public to help rough sleepers.
The StreetLink support service, to be run by charities Homeless Link and Broadway, will connect people sleeping rough to local services.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk