Rugby’s Member of Parliament, Mark Pawsey has today welcomed news that a trailblazing project to tackle homelessness in Rugby and Warwickshire, led by Rugby Borough Council, has received an £855,000 grant from the Government.

The Warwickshire Together Homeless Early Intervention Project, which has been praised by Communities Minister and Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones, will bring together local councils in Warwickshire and community organisations to identify residents at risk of homelessness. The funding from central Government has been secured for the next 3 years.

The project hopes to identify people at risk of becoming homeless early and provide tailored support services to address the underlying issues that might lead to them becoming homeless before they do so.

Mark said: “Early intervention for those at risk of becoming homeless is an important way to tackle the tragedy of homelessness and I am delighted that Rugby Borough Council is leading the way on this important issue. The factors that lead to people becoming homeless are often complex and individual support, such as that provided by the Warwickshire Together Homeless Early Intervention Project, can really make the difference.

“As part of my work on behalf on local residents, I am aware of the issues faced by those who find themselves homeless. I know that Rugby Borough Council does a tremendous amount to help local residents who become homeless and that this additional funding, combined with a focus on early intervention, will help prevent people from losing their home.

“However, there is clearly more work to be done to tackle the tragedy of homelessness and I am pleased that last year the Homelessness Reduction Bill, introduced by my Conservative colleague Bob Blackman MP, received Government support. Alongside providing the proper funding necessary to tackle this issue, I am pleased that we are legislating to ensure that Councils will be required to help those threatened with homelessness or who are already homeless find a home."