Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed a new, multi-million-pound package of support to help families with extra costs this winter. The City of Wolverhampton has been provided with over £2 million from the Household Support Fund and £185,000 extra funding from the Homelessness Prevention Grant. This is part of a wider range of measures to help families with the cost of living, including rent arrears.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Government has provided the City of Wolverhampton Council with over £8 million to keep children and local families warm and well-fed and to support those experiencing financial hardship or who are at risk of homelessness. The new Household Support Fund makes available £500 million to local authorities. The funding is primarily being used to support households with the cost of essentials such as food, clothing, and help with paying for utilities. Councils have flexibility to best address local needs. At least half of the funding is reserved for households with children.
The Government has also introduced an exceptional, one-off £65 million winter top-up to the £310 million Homelessness Prevention Grant, which enables councils to support those at risk of eviction and becoming homelessness. The additional funding will support councils to help vulnerable households with rent arrears to reduce the risk of them being evicted and becoming homeless, including helping households to find a new home where necessary. It is for local councils to determine the best way to support each household on a case-by-case basis. The City of Wolverhampton Council has also been received £761,711 from a £140 million fund for Discretionary Housing Payments, which can be used to prevent evictions and help people find a new home, as well as £3 million to support households with their Council Tax payments. Stuart has published further details of the support that is available to local families and households via his website, which is: www.stuartanderson.org.uk/support-individuals.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “The situation regarding COVID-19 has been unprecedented in my lifetime and, as a local Member of Parliament, I understand the extreme impact that it has had on people and families in our city. My priority during this time has been supporting constituents and doing all that I can to ensure that our city can emerge from this virus as strong as possible. I welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to our community, backed by over £8 million extra funding to support the Council in its efforts to help those experiencing financial hardship and prevent the risk of becoming homeless.”
For a breakdown of funding, visit: Investment and Fundraising Tracker | Stuart Anderson MP