Britain's Department for Communities and Local Government said on Tuesday it will expand support for vulnerable people, and over 65 million pounds (110 million U.S. dollars) of funding will be offered to local departments to tackle homelessness in the country.
"People at risk of homelessness need more than just a roof over their head. They also need help with their education, employment and health so they have the right skills, confidence and opportunities to succeed," said Kris Hopkins, minister for housing at Department for Communities and Local Government.
The department said that the funding will be invested into five programs, which include eight million pounds for single homeless people, 15 million pounds for provide accommodation, education, training and employment opportunities for the most 2,000 vulnerable young homeless people, 41.5 million for temporary accommodation and facilities for rough sleepers.
"It is imperative we continue to work collaboratively to help eradicate rough sleeping and reach out to people who need our help. ...The Mayor's No First Night Out pilot will also make additional funding available for London boroughs' work to prevent rough sleeping, complementing the government's Help for Single Homeless fund," said Boris Johnson, Mayor of London on Tuesday.
Government made its stance after a luxury flat in southeast London's Southwark Borough installed nearly 20 inch-high metal studs to deter homeless people from sleeping there in the alcove, which sparked public outrage in the weekend and to date, about 50,000 people have signed a petition written to the mayor of removing the anti-homeless spikes.
"It is a scandal that anyone should sleep on the streets in 21st century Britain. Yet over the last three years rough sleeping has risen steeply across the country and by a massive 75 per cent in London," said Katharine Sacks-Jones, head of policy and campaigns at homelessness charity Crisis on Monday, according to local reports.
The mayor condemned the spikes through local media on Monday, saying "unattractive, ugly, stupid" and the city must do more to deal with the homelessness.
