Homelessness services in Test Valley are set to receive thousands of pounds next year after Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) announced plans to provide new grants.

TVBC will be providing £55,000 to Two Saints, which runs the borough’s local outreach service as well as supported housing provision at Bridge House in Andover.

£10,000 will be given to the former, with the remainder providing funding for Bridge House in Andover, which provides eight people with supported accommodation following referral. They also provide support and advice on issues of homelessness, eviction, budgeting and finding housing.

Portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, councillor Phil Bundy, said: “We know all too well how valuable these services are to those who need them. And in the midst of a global pandemic it is more important than ever before that we support those at risk.

“These services can transform people’s lives and help to get them off the street. It’s so easy to take for granted having a roof over your head but the consequences of losing your home can have a catastrophic impact on people’s mental and physical health. These are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and we will continue to do everything in our power to support them.”

The money comes from the authority’s Flexible Homelessness Support Grant provided by central government, which was £201,381 in total. The authority also received just under £100,000 for a homelessness reduction grant, bringing the total sum from national government to £300,615.

The £55,000 grant was unanimously approved at a cabinet meeting on November 4.

Under the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the council aims to improve health and wellbeing, make partnerships with other bodies, provide support and advice for those at risk of losing their homes, and delivering projects to attempt to end rough sleeping.

This includes a commitment to ensure that anyone at risk of sleeping rough will be offered emergency accommodation if they come to council offices for help.

Anyone concerned about their housing situation can contact the council’s housing service on 01264 368000 or 01794 527700. People can also report rough sleeping to the council through streetlink.org.uk