A CROSS-COUNCIL partnership has been launched to help to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless.

Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils have received £376,000 from the Government towards the project, which will provide targeted help and support to people temporarily without a home who may face having to sleep rough as a result. Part of that will be outreach work delivered through leading national homelessness charity Changing-Lives, from its Sunderland base at the Old Orphanage Buildings in the East End of Sunderland.

Councillor Graeme Miller, Sunderland City Council’s housing spokesman, said: “We are introducing a housing first approach, which is based on the fundamental principle of everyone having a right to a home; as we believe this will provide better outcomes for people faced with or experiencing homelessness.”

His counterpart at South Tyneside Council, Councillor Allan West said: “We were delighted to receive this funding which will enable us to build on our effective partnership approach and focus on the vulnerable single homeless, rough sleepers and those hidden in private hostel accommodation.”

Members of both councils’ homelessness teams were invited to address an event hosted by Homeless Link at the House of Lords yesterday.