An emergency centre for homeless people is to be set up with government funding revealed yesterday.

The exact amount being given by the government through its Rough Sleeper Strategy has not been confirmed yet.

However, Cornwall Council said the money will go towards funding a mobile Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub.

This will provide a safe environment that is open and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone who is at imminent risk of, or already, rough sleeping can be helped, and it will be run in partnership with Cornwall Housing Ltd, Cosgarne and St Petroc’s.

The money will also be used for a Supported Lettings Scheme, which will provide help for rough sleepers as they move into independent accommodation, and 'navigators', aimed at people with complex needs who may have been sleeping rough for some time, who will help them address issues around addiction, mental health, and housing. There will also be funding for a local lettings agency to help single people and couples with no children, who are at risk of, or who have, slept rough, access private rented accommodation.

Welcoming the announcement from Housing Secretary James Brokenshire MP, the council's portfolio holder for homes Andrew Mitchell said: “Tackling rough sleeping is a complex issue, which is why the Council has already invested £1.1m in a Rough Sleeper Reduction Strategy.

“We are waiting for confirmation of the amount that will be allocated to Cornwall but the latest Rapid Rehousing Pathway announcement means we will be able to help more people move away from a life on the streets."

It follows an additional £1 million already being given to Cornwall through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Rough Sleeper Initiative.

Official figures released in December 2018 show that whilst Cornwall still has a relatively high numbers of rough sleepers, 53 people were reported as rough sleeping compared to 68 reported in November 2017 and 99 the year prior to that.

This makes a 46 per cent reduction in the total number of rough sleepers recorded in Cornwall since November 2016.

Mr Mitchell added: “Estimates indicate that Cornwall Council’s action plan to tackle rough sleeping is continuing to have a positive effect.

"We are waiting for final confirmation of the amount of additional funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government which will allow us to put in place additional measures that will directly help people off the streets, providing them with accommodation and support."