Tackling homelessness in Thanet is no small task and this has been recognised with the revelation of extra government funding.

The isle is to receive £367,322 for a rough sleeping initiative, it has been announced by the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government James Brokenshire.

The money has been allocated from a total fund of £30 million which the government has set aside to support those sleeping rough and those at risk in 83 local authorities with the highest need.

MP Craig Mackinlay has hailed the announcement. He said: "Just one person without a roof over their head in Thanet is one too many, and it is vitally important that the most vulnerable people in society, including homeless people and rough sleepers, are helped to get their lives back on track.
"That's why I welcome the £367,322 of government funding for a rough sleeping initiative in Thanet."

The last few months have seen a government team of experts have been working closely with local authorities to identify service gaps and create tailored packages to address rough sleeping the their area this year.

The announcement represents a first significant step in the government's plans to reduce rough sleeping.

It will be followed by a cross-government strategy, published in July, which will set out how the government intent to meet the manifesto commitment of halving rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminating it altogether by 2027.