Rough sleepers in Wyre Forest will get help securing long-term accommodation following a successful bid to secure government funding of more than £670,000.

The grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government guarantees the continuation and development of services that support rough sleepers across Worcestershire and help them to get back into accommodation.

New initiatives will also be launched with the money, including rough sleeper co-ordinators for Worcestershire and the continuation of the rough sleeper homeless support officer post for Wyre Forest.

Cabinet Member for housing, health and wellbeing councillor Nicky Martin said: “Rough sleepers are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This latest round of funding will help us and our partners to provide a range of services that will help people to get off the streets and receive the specialist support they need to secure a long-term home.”

The funding bid was prepared by Worcester City Council and its neighbouring district authorities in Bromsgrove, Malvern, Redditch, Wychavon and Wyre Forest.

The £672,308 awarded will enable the councils to continue their work with on-the-ground partners including Caring for Communities and People (CCP), Maggs Day Centre and St Paul’s Hostel and local housing providers.

Support initiatives include a Rough Sleeper Co-ordinator who oversees and coordinates a multi-agency response to the individual needs of rough sleepers across Worcestershire and the Somewhere Safe To Stay centre based at Worcester’s Salvation Army Centre.