A supported accommodation scheme for homeless women in Sheffield has secured £1.25 million in continued funding.

The service, which provides safe housing for single women who are homeless or at risk of rough sleeping, including those fleeing domestic abuse or other vulnerabilities. 

Initially set to end this year, the scheme will now continue after councillors voted on Thursday, 24 April, to extend the contract for another five years.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, welcomed the decision and said: “Like anyone else who becomes homeless, the council has a legal duty to assess their needs and help with rehousing.”

“For a particular group of women who have suffered abuse or violence, or who might still be at risk, it’s really important to ensure not only that they are safe but also that they get support they can be confident of. This is where supported housing schemes come in.”

The service will now receive £250,000 per year for five years to ensure ongoing support for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The supported service plays a key role in helping women, including those with young children, transition to independent living and rebuild their lives.

“It’s tragic and unacceptable that women still face abuse and that this can mean it is no longer safe to live in their homes.

Council officers had warned that without the renewed funding, it would become increasingly difficult to find safe placements for women at risk.

This potentially increases pressure on already strained social care and domestic abuse services

Mr Johnson added: “Although homeless women can be accommodated in other emergency housing, it doesn’t provide the additional support and a secure environment where they can rebuild their lives.

“This is why this type of specialist supported accommodation service is so important.”

Council officers said the service is crucial in helping the authority meet its legal housing duties and in delivering Sheffield’s wider strategy to end rough sleeping.

At the meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Housing Policy Committee on April 24, Head of City Wide Housing Services, Suzanne Allen said: “ I want to emphasise how important this legislation is for vulnerable people living in accommodation which isn’t of sufficient quality or providing support that is required at a cost that is far to high for them.”

Residents needing help can contact Housing Solutions on 0114 273 6306 or the Council Housing Service on 0114 293 0000