NEARLY a million pounds will be spent getting rough sleepers and people with mental health problems off the streets and into homes in Sandwell if councillors give it the go-ahead.

The borough has been awarded £935,137 to create 55 tenancies over four years as part of the region-wide Housing First project funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Cabinet members are expected to approve the scheme which will offer supported housing  to people who are either homeless or at risk of losing their accommodation. 

Along with rough sleepers and those suffering mental illness it will also help victims of domestic abuse, drug and alcohol addicts and ex-offenders.

The scheme is part of a West Midlands wide £9.6m project providing  up to 617 tenancies until March 2021,  with a further two years of support for tenants.

Alan Caddick, director of housing and communities, recommending the scheme to cabinet members, said: “Practised in Northern Europe and North America, Housing First (HF) is now a well-established approach to tackling homelessness amongst the most vulnerable and entrenched individuals who often have a complexity of needs.

“The overriding philosophy of HF is to provide a stable, independent affordable home together with intensive wrap around personalised support to enable the person to maintain their tenancy.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, announcing the scheme last year, said: “Having seen HF in action, I can vouch for the positive impact it has on supporting rough sleepers and came back determined we trial it here in the West Midlands.

“In essence, it can provide people who are homeless with a new start, somewhere to call home. From there, they will be given support to help them rebuild their lives.”

If passed by the cabinet,  Accord Housing Association and the council will launch the scheme  in July.