MILLIONS of pounds has been awarded to fund supported housing for the homeless across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

BCP Council has been allocated a share of just over £5 million of the £150 million announced by the government to increase the number of homes available to local authorities.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said supported homes were “vital” for helping rough sleepers.

Announcing the initiative on Thursday, the government said the money would allow “thousands” of “long-term homes” to be made available.

It follows the pledge by the Conservative Party in their 2019 manifesto to end rough sleeping by 2024.

Rough sleeping minister Kelly Tolhurst said supported housing was a “cornerstone” to help people "rebuild their lives" and that the homes would all be available by March 2021.

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said the funding was part of the "next step" in supporting the homeless through the coronavirus pandemic.

"People who have been helped need to be able to access long-term housing that gives them the safety and security they need to rebuild their lives, which is exactly what the funding announced today will do,” he said.

BCP Council’s share of the funding will be just over £5 million which it will spend on increasing its supply of “move on” accommodation for people at risk of becoming homeless.

Its leader, councillor Drew Mellor, said the extra money would help boost work already being done by the council.

“If we are to deliver on the promise we made in our manifesto to end rough sleeping by the end of the Parliament, then the people who have been helped need to be able to access long-term housing that gives them the safety and security they need to rebuild their lives, which is exactly what the funding announced today will do,” he said.

Housing provided with this funding will be supported through the provision of specialist staff to support its occupants.

The announcement has also been welcomed by Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns.

“Having taken a close interest in this for many years, I welcome this money from central government to build supported housing,” he said. “While the causes of rough sleeping are complex and often involve mental health, drugs and alcohol, having homes to offer is vital.”

Dorset Council has been allocated just over £1.5 million.