£104,000 funding for Rochdale-based homelessness charity

Stepping Stone Projects, which is based in Rochdale and operates across the North West, will provide 26 extra rooms for people facing homelessness this winter

Homelessness charity Stepping Stone Projects will be able to support more people in 2021 thanks to a funding boost of more than £100,000.

The charity, which is based in Rochdale and operates across the North West, will provide 26 extra rooms for people facing homelessness this winter.

The £104,000 grant from government and national homelessness charity Homeless Link means that Stepping Stone Projects can provide rooms in Rochdale, Manchester and Blackburn for rough sleepers and homeless people between December 2020 and April 2021.

It will also be able to support EU nationals with no recourse to public funds.

Dave Smith, Chief Executive at Stepping Stone Projects, said: “This funding is making a huge difference to people in our communities during the harshest winter months.

“Having somewhere safe to live is so important, especially as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause major disruption, and for many people it can be a turning point for getting their lives back on track.

Stepping Stones Projects helps prevent homelessness, transform lives and empower people to live independently. For the past 35 years it has worked in partnerships with local authorities, housing associations, care providers, health services and charities across the North West.

The £2 million Homelessness Winter Transformation Fund is provided by government and awards grants to homelessness, faith, community and voluntary sector to provide single room and Covid-19 secure accommodation for people experiencing homelessness this winter.

The grants are being distributed by Homeless Link in partnership with Housing Justice, to offer support to the sector at a time when many services are at risk due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

The fund aims to ensure that faith and community groups who provide winter accommodation can this year provide single room Covid-19 secure accommodation.