A half of a million pound Government grant will help the Royal Borough in the ongoing battle to tackle homelessness in Windsor, writes James Bagley

The £490,000 contribution from the Government's rough sleeping initiative will go towards the borough's three way plan which aims to get people living on the streets into a two way assessment centre, getting access to its support services and finally into long term accommodation.

Councillor Ross McWilliams, the Royal Borough's lead member for housing, communications and youth engagement, said: “This funding will enable us to help more vulnerable people off the streets into long term, sustainable accommodation.

"We all know all too often that people who are sleeping rough are unable to access the wraparound support they need to move forward with their lives.

“This funding ensures we can continue to provide the intensive support we know will support people to move away from sleeping rough.”

Anyone at risk of homelessness should go to their closest council office for advice and support or call the Emergency Duty Team on 01344 786543 if the council is closed.

If you see a rough sleeper you can also call 0300 500 0914 or visit Streetlink giving the details of the rough sleeper and they will notify the relevant local authority.

The newly secured Government funding secured is available for one year and is part of the national £112 million Rough Sleeping Initiative funding designed to help get people off the streets and into accommodation.