Mayor announces £3.7m of funding to help homeless

Nearly £4m has been pledged by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to help people sleeping rough across the region.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said the £3.7m would help provide accommodation and targeted support to people with the most complex needs.

It comes after the government said it was doubling its funding in support of Prime Minster Andy Burnham's pledge to give every rough sleeper in England a route off the streets by Christmas.

According to the latest government data, at least 141 people are thought to be experiencing rough sleeping every night across West Yorkshire.

Brabin said: "I've always said everyone should have a warm, safe, and secure place to call home, and with the winter fast approaching, it's only right we step in with support for people who need it most.

"Rough sleeping has become far too commonplace, and we must do everything we can to make sure nobody is forced to sleep rough in West Yorkshire."

The funding has been split between the five West Yorkshire councils as follows:

• Bradford - £688,194
• Calderdale - £255,991
• Kirklees - £470,045
• Leeds - £1,641,767
• Wakefield - £535,691

A further £111,083 will be used by WYCA for "regional co-ordination", a spokesperson said.

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