A renowned North Herts homeless charity has received a six figure cash boost to help them continue their vital work in our community.

North Herts District Council recently received government funding totalling £172,000 to help the charity Haven First.

Haven First provides support to more than 200 people every year who are experiencing homelessness in North Herts, and has been funded by NHDC since April 2018.

They provide hot meals and a bed for those in need while helping homeless people move to independent accommodation.

Processes and support put in place by Haven First also help to reduce the risk of individuals returning to rough sleeping.

Councillor Gary Grindal, NHDC's executive member for housing said: "We are incredibly pleased with the successful funding bids that will enable this vital service to help more homeless people in the district.

"The impact of Haven First's outreach, accommodation and resettlement support for homeless people is immeasurable, and their actions change lives for the better every day.

"Further funding from the council that will support Haven First for the next three years has also just been approved, and we look forward to continuing to build upon our already strong working relationship with them in the future."

The funding will go towards providing a 12 month extension of the lease at the Templars Hotel in Baldock which helps to house homeless people when shelter is urgently required.

It will also be channelled to enable people to move out of Haven First Hostels, then eventually on to other dwellings as well as employing two floating support staff helping to smooth the transition to independent living.

The funding comes following successful bids to the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2021-2022, Flexible Homelessness Support grant scheme and Homelessness Reduction grant scheme which are run and awarded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

For more information on Haven First go to: www.havenfirst.org.uk/

For help for rough sleepers: www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/housing/housing-advice-and-homelessness-support/help-rough-sleepers