A SLICE of £8.5 million of extra funding for councils across the south east to help get people off the streets and into accommodation is coming to the region.

Basingstoke & Deane, Hart, Rushmoor and Winchester councils will receive £204,500, communities secretary James Brokenshire confirmed on Monday.

The money forms part of the government’s £100m Rough Sleeping Strategy and will be used to fund rough sleeping coordinator roles, add new or additional outreach services and extend existing or provide new temporary accommodation, including night shelters and hostel spaces.

Across the south east, it is estimated that the money will provide funding for up to 162 new staff and 405 additional bed spaces.

Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, said: “In Basingstoke we have a very successful “the Real Change Not Loose Change” campaign, which has raised more than £40,000 since 2016 to help keep homeless people off the cold streets of Basingstoke and Deane each winter and following its success, the Social Inclusion Partnership is now building on the commitment shown by local people, businesses and organisations by launching a year-round initiative to support rough sleepers.

“I welcome this much needed further funding, the government is rightly focused on providing the right support to those who have fallen on hard times, and it’s great to see more support for vulnerable people in Basingstoke to get off the streets and back on their feet.”

Mr Brokenshire MP said: “The £100m-backed Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out this government’s blueprint for ending rough sleeping for good across the south east and the rest of the country.

“We are taking the necessary steps to make that happen, already providing already providing 2600 additional beds and 750 more support staff for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“But we must keep up the momentum and that’s why we are giving this funding to areas and projects in the that need it, ensuring progress continues to be made and people are given the help they need to turn their lives around.”