Watford’s leading outreach support for homeless people - backed up by a £5 million package to stop rough sleeping - has been praised by a government minister.

Felicity Buchan MP, the minister for housing and homelessness in the department for levelling up, housing and communities, visited Watford.

It follows Watford's success in stopping people sleeping on the streets through government funding and the passionate work by New Hope and One YMCA.   

In March 2020 the town launched the Watford Single Homeless Pathway, and in January 2021 it reported that no-one was sleeping without a roof over their heads.

 

The pathway was launched at the start of the pandemic when the government helped to provide accommodation to all local authorities for every rough sleeper in their area.    

Ms Buchan’s tour, which took place on March 23 with Watford MP Dean Russell, started at New Hope’s Haven and finished at One YMCA.

She said: “It was excellent to visit New Hope’s Haven day centre and hear about their outreach programme.

“It was also great to visit One YMCA and see how they are transforming Charter House with government funding.”

New Hope’s Haven is a charity that supports people who are homeless, by providing accommodation, food, expert advice, and showers.

Its outreach programme, funded by Ms Buchan’s department, focusses on supporting homeless people either during the day or night.

One YMCA was recently transformed to provide 34 self-contained studios for rough sleepers after a £2.2 million investment from the government in 2021.    

Ms Buchan described Watford’s effort to tackle homelessness as “excellent” and commended Mr Russell’s work describing him as a “passionate advocate for support and funding for rough sleeping in Watford”.

Mr Russell said he was “delighted” to secure more than £5 million of additional funding from the government to help the homeless.

He added: “Now we must ensure that rough sleeping is eradicated permanently, which is why I invited the minister to meet those who are working tirelessly to make this happen.” 

New Hope’s deputy CEO Rob Edmonds said: "Through a person-centred approach New Hope's staff and volunteers are regularly supporting those who have lost everything - giving them hope and a future.

“Watford is in a good place to respond to the challenges that many communities are facing.

“This is because of the recent government funding and the vibrant partnership working in our town.”