An emergency £216,000 fund has been announced by the Deputy Prime Minister to help tackle rough sleeping in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this winter.
The BCP area has one of the highest proportions of rough sleeping outside of London.
The funding, part of a £10 million package, has been targeted to areas that are most in need.
It can be used to provide support to vulnerable individuals sleeping rough, including veterans, care leavers, victims of domestic abuse and to help prevent people returning to the streets.
Last week’s Budget saw an additional £233m announced which will be used to tackle all forms of homelessness.
It takes total spending on reducing homelessness to nearly £1bn in 2025-26.
The money will directly fund critical services to prevent homelessness and support people into secure, stable housing – helping those at risk of homelessness to pay deposits and negotiate with landlords, reducing the overall need for temporary accommodation.
Yesterday Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the first cross-government group on tackling homelessness.
She pledged to end “sticking plaster” measures and instead tackle the root cause of the problem.
Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, said: “There have been significant efforts to address homelessness in Bournemouth in recent years, but people are still sleeping rough and lots more are at risk of homelessness.
“This urgent and significant cash injection for organisations on the frontline will help support even more people this winter.
“I’m pleased to be part of a government taking decisive immediate action on issues that really matter.”
Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, said: “We can end rough sleeping.
“Having led a health service for rough sleepers, I know that investment like this will be a lifeline for people on Bournemouth streets this winter.
“I want to commend all of Bournemouth’s homelessness services for everything that they are doing.”