Tackling Homelessness in the Northeast – Additional Funding granted to Newcastle City Council
Written by Jack Lisle on 17th October 2025
This week, Newcastle City Council received a total of £645,981 in additional funding, to help tackle the increasing amount of homelessness in the Northeast.
The funding is split into two separate sections, £620,951 through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) £25,030 through the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed Newcastle City Council will receive the additional funding ahead of the 2025-26 period.
Newcastle City Councillor Paula Maines, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “We are delighted to have received the additional funding to further enhance the support we are able to provide to those who find themselves homeless within our city. These initiatives align with our statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017) and the Housing Act (1996) and form a core part of Newcastle’s multi-tiered approach to homelessness prevention, including primary prevention, targeted support, and crisis response.
The associated spending plan complements ongoing work across Newcastle City Council and its partners and reflects our continued commitment to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in the city.”
The funding will exclusively be used to support a range of targeted interventions aimed at preventing rough sleeping, assisting individuals currently sleeping rough, and reducing the risk of repeat homelessness.
This can include allocating at least £124,190 to voluntary, community, and faith organisations to expand partnership working and increase access to vital support services.
Supporting ongoing initiatives to provide people with drug and alcohol-related support through the additional £25,030 allocation to the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant.
Enhancing outreach services to engage and support people sleeping rough and supporting Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) arrangements for winter 2025/26, ensuring safe accommodation and support during extreme weather.
Mairi MacRae, Director of Campaigns and Policy at Shelter, said: “Every day we hear from families who are terrified of spending months or even years in appalling conditions, watching their breath hang in the air as damp and mould climbs the walls. These conditions are only worsened by bitter isolation, as many are moved miles away from their extended families, schools, and communities.
