COUNCILS will be given more money to help keep rough sleepers off the streets during lockdown.

Councils across England will all be handed a further share of £105 million to support rough sleepers throughout the lockdown.

Rough sleepers have been housed in hotels and bed and breakfasts in the county throughout the lockdown, including the Fownes Hotel in City Walls Road in Worcester which has been praised for its work, but concerns were raised they could be back on the street if a proper solution beyond next weekend was not found.

At the start of lockdown, councils were told they had days to move homeless people off the streets and out of shelters into self-contained rooms, many of whom were given space in hotels.

Worcester City Council welcomed the extra money but does not yet know how much the city will receive.

A spokesman for the council said: “The announcement of further funding from central Government to prevent homelessness is welcome.

“We are awaiting further details about the exact settlement for Worcester.

“Rough sleepers will continue to be provided with temporary accommodation until such a time when suitable move-on accommodation has been arranged.

“We will work closely with our partners to develop personal housing plans for each individual, considering their housing and additional needs.

“We will then support them as they move on into new accommodation.”

Homeless charities had warned many could be back on the street if a proper solution was not found before hotels were allowed to reopen to the public from July 4.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that hotels would also be included in the latest businesses allowed to reopen – alongside pubs, restaurants and museums – as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions next month.

Councils will be given more money to support the rough sleepers – which could mean contracts with hotels are extended or new ones are opened with university student accommodation.

The government has also announced it will be bringing forward millions of pounds due to spent on alcohol and drug support for homeless people.

Despite the increase, the funding would not be a long-term solution to homelessness and would instead act as a ‘stopgap’ until policies are worked out.