Funding boost amid rise in Shropshire homelessness

Shropshire has been awarded £2.85m to tackle homelessness in the next financial year.

The money will be used to support people without a permanent home and those who are sleeping rough.

The funding has been awarded by central government as part of a nationwide push to tackle the issue.

Shropshire Council said it would use the money to prevent individuals from losing their home and assist those who were on the streets.

Dean Carroll, cabinet member for housing and assets, said the sum came at a time when the county had seen a "big increase" in the number of people experiencing homelessness.

"Rising demand has come off the back of the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis," he said.

"[This has] led to severe pressures on household incomes, family relationships and individuals' mental health."

Earlier this month, homelessness charity Shrewsbury Ark said it had seen a "huge" increase in people seeking support, including individuals from groups it did not normally encounter.

Fundraising and community lead Kim Tumbridge said user numbers had risen by more than 14% in a year.

"We've had an awful lot of gentlemen in particular who work but due to relationship breakups have been left homeless," she explained.

"[They] sleep in their cars [and] come to us for a shower and breakfast in the morning before heading off to work."

A report presented to Telford and Wrekin councillors in March also highlighted more families who said they were homeless.

The document said the situation was leading to a shortage of social housing throughout Shropshire.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.