Richmond upon Thames has been awarded £79,342 from the Government to strengthen homelessness prevention and recovery services across the borough.

The funding forms part of an £84 million national uplift to homelessness and rough-sleeping support announced to mark World Homelessness Day last week (10 October).

Richmond's allocation includes:

• £65,782 for Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness
• £13,560 for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant

The money will help the Council improve support for families living in temporary accommodation and expand treatment and recovery services for people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness.

The Council say the funding was "very welcome", particularly at a time when the borough faces financial pressures.

A spokesperson said: "We recognise that homelessness continues to have a profound impact on those affected.

"Richmond Council remains one of the lowest users of temporary accommodation in London and our latest assessments show that the number of households presenting as homeless remains relatively stable.

"This additional funding will enable us to continue supporting families who find themselves in temporary accommodation and to provide targeted help to the small number of people sleeping rough."

However, the Council also warned that broader funding challenges threaten local services.

Earlier this year, Council Leader Councillor Gareth Roberts highlighted that Richmond stands to lose around £45 million, nearly 90 per cent of its core government funding, by the end of the transition period under new national funding models.

The Council argues that the model overlooks key drivers of deprivation in London, particularly the high cost of housing.

Despite these concerns, the new funding will provide needed short-term support for vulnerable residents and those at risk of homelessness in Richmond borough.

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