SUPPORT for rough sleepers in Northumberland and North Tyneside will be cut unless the Labour Government extends funding, a major homelessness charity has warned.

North East-based Changing Lives has told ministers that it is facing a “perilous funding cliff edge” that could result in key services being scrapped.

The organisation is calling on the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to continue the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) fund, which is due to run out at the end of the current financial year.

Changing Lives claims that if RSI is not extended beyond next March then it will be forced to slash some of its support programmes, including outreach teams helping rough sleepers in Northumberland and North Tyneside, which are entirely paid for through that pot.

North East councils received just over £10 million of RSI money to use between 2022 and 2025, some of which is passed on to Changing Lives via grants.

Urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to extend the funding through 2025/26 in her Autumn Spending Review, Changing Lives operational lead Jacquiline Cox said: “We are deeply concerned that if this funding is not extended, we will be forced to scale back and lose vital services, particularly across Northumberland and North Tyneside. Our Rough Sleeper Outreach services in these areas are solely reliant on RSI funding. These services provide essential, life-saving support to some of the most vulnerable and disenfranchised people in our community. Without this funding, those who are experiencing rough sleeping will have even fewer places to turn.

“The Government must recognise the human cost if the current funding is not extended. Continuing to invest in homelessness services is not just a financial necessity but a moral obligation. We urge the Chancellor to commit to safeguarding these essential services in the upcoming budget and beyond.”

Changing Lives also provides specialist housing services for young people and those being discharged from hospital who do not have a safe place to live.

Latest statistics for the North East showed that 3,140 people were assessed presenting as homeless between January and March 2024, with rough sleeping having risen nationally by 27 per cent in 2023 and by 60 per cent since 2021. 

Rick Henderson, CEO at charity Homeless Link, added: “Everyone needs a safe place to live. Homelessness services do vital work in supporting people who often have complex needs in addressing the issues behind their homelessness and helping them build new lives.

“But services need certainty to allow them to plan for the future and continue to support people. Announcing a roll-over of homelessness funding at the upcoming Budget, with a commitment to implement a new ring-fenced funding system down the line, will allow homelessness providers to breathe a little bit easier and provide the kind of consistency people experiencing homelessness need. “

The MHCLG indicated that decisions on the future of the RSI would be made as part of the Spending Review.

A spokesperson said: “Far too many people are experiencing homelessness, and we want to make it easier for them to find a secure home.

“The government is taking urgent action by working with local leaders on a long-term strategy, and will prevent homelessness before it occurs by banning Section 21 evictions and delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.”