Housing Minister Grant Shapps recently outlined how the most vulnerable in society will be protected as the Government takes steps to tackle the record budget deficit.

Shapps confirmed £10m funding in this financial year for local authorities in London to help households that are affected by the proposed Housing Benefit reforms. Funding may be used to provide financial advice, renegotiating rents and where necessary helping people move to more affordable accommodation. £750K has also been provided to support the No second night out rough sleeper project in London. A further £1.5m has been made available to help improve access to the private rented sector for single homeless people through the voluntary sector across the country.

This funding is on top of measures announced in the recent Spending Review designed to help the most vulnerable - including the homeless.

Over £400m will be made available through homelessness grants over the Spending Review period to support the most vulnerable and to tackle homelessness. The Government is also continuing to invest in the Places of Change hostels improvement programme, to ensure those coming off the streets get the support they need. Some £200m over the Spending Review period will keep the Mortgage Rescue Scheme open to support those homeowners facing the prospect of homelessness as a result of repossession to stay in their homes.