Canterbury City Council is one of 19 local authorities to receive a share of £4.4 million to help get rough sleepers off the streets.

The funding - allocated to councils across the south east including seven from Kent - will go towards providing four new rough sleeper centres and specialist support for the most vulnerable homeless people.

It forms part of a £100 million push by the government to end rough sleeping for good.

Housing and homelessness minister Heather Wheeler MP says the steps are being taken to ensure people never have to face even one night on the streets.

“These are vulnerable people, who may be dealing with complex mental health problems or addictions and require specialist support to tackle these issues and turn their lives around," she said.

“The funding will ensure those sleeping on the streets the South East have access to the professional help and guidance they need to get back on their feet – taking us one step closer to ending rough sleeping for good.”

In Canterbury, the last rough sleeper count, carried out in December, found the number of homeless people had halved in a year.

In winter 2017, the annual count of rough sleepers across the district totalled 73 and in December 2018, the number was 33.

Other Kent councils to receive the funding are Dartford Borough Council, Folkestone and Hythe, Maidstone Borough Council, Medway Council, Thanet District Council and Tonbridge and Malling Council.

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