OXFORDSHIRE County Council and six partners have demonstrated their commitment to tackle rough sleeping by agreeing to invest £738,000 over two years in hostel accommodation for homeless people in the county.

The council and its partners have agreed to fund O’Hanlon House for a further two years from April 2020.

The 56-bed hostel in Oxford provides housing related support to single people aged between 18 and 65.

Oxfordshire’s six councils and the NHS Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group have committed to working collaboratively to develop a countywide strategy to tackle homelessness.

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This will be focused on prevention, early intervention and moving people on from rough sleeping.

To meet the increasingly complex needs of people who have experienced rough sleeping, O’Hanlon House will offer round the clock support in a safe and supportive environment seven days a week.

As well as providing shelter, O’Hanlon House will work with professionals in housing, health, social care, benefits and probation services to enable people to make positive choices and move towards independent living.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “It’s really vital that we make sure that we do our best to support those who are vulnerable and need a safe place to live.

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“It is great to have the expertise and cooperation of the other partners so we can collectively provide the best solutions to those who need our support.”

Councillor Steve Good, cabinet member for communities and housing at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “People can find themselves homeless for a wide variety of reasons.

“We are committed to liaising with them to ensure everyone can have a roof over their heads until their circumstances improve.”