Funding provided to house some of Lincolnshire’s most vulnerable people is one step closer after a short-term agreement was put in place.
Emergency support for homeless people who are suffering from mental health or addiction issues could have been changed or removed when the current contract ended, writes Local Democracy Reporter Jamie Waller.
Reform-run Lincolnshire County Council had carried out a consultation on whether to defund some, all or none of it, with other politicians calling the prospect “appalling”.
Now Lincolnshire’s seven district councils (Boston Borough, City of Lincoln, East Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven and West Lindsey) have said they’re open to jointly funding the service.
The contract has been extended for four months to give time for discussions on exactly what this would mean for taxpayers.
The service is designed to give stability to people while they seek help for mental health problems, addiction or other issues, hopefully preventing them from becoming homeless in the future.
It costs just over £2 million per year and can give six months of support to 323 people across the county at any time.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive met on Tuesday, June 9, to approve the extension.
Council member Steve Clegg, who is responsible for adult care and health, said: “I am confident it will lead to a sustainable, jointly-funded service.”
Coun Rob Gibson, deputy leader of the council representing Spalding East, claimed the service saved the public money in the long-run, saying: “It is a well-needed service for some of most vulnerable residents in Lincolnshire.
“The cost to our council is substantial, but I don’t think we can ever capture the savings made to our and others’ services.”
The county council has argued that it is fair that districts pay their share, as vulnerable people would otherwise rely heavily on their services.
A council report says the homelessness support is effective, with more than 90 per cent of users getting ‘better lives.’ Other authorities have previously condemned the idea of any cuts to the service.
West Lindsey District Council leader, Coun Jackie Brockway said at a meeting in January: “The idea of moving money away from the very weakest in the community is appalling.”
