Purpose

TMBC will be receiving dedicated funding of £74,707 RSPARG uplift funding from GMCA.  Appendix 1 The funding is split across two programme areas:

•         £51,690 to fund an Adult Social Care Worker embedded within the Homelessness Team

•         £23,017 to establish a Personalisation Fund to support move-on from homelessness

This investment reflects the increasing complexity of need within the rough sleeping population and the importance of ensuring that vulnerable adults can access appropriate safeguarding, care, and support services.

The post will be designed to strengthen joint working between the Rough Sleeper Housing Team and Adult Social Care, ensuring that people experiencing homelessness receive timely interventions that address both housing insecurity and wider social care needs.

Decision

(i)                That approval is given for the acceptance of £74,707 funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) under the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) 2025/26 uplift (Appendix 1).

(ii)             That approval is given for the allocation of:

a.     £51,690 to fund an Adult Social Care Worker embedded within the Homelessness Team

b.     £23,017 to establish a Personalisation Fund to support move-on from homelessness

(iii)           That the implementation of both schemes in line with the GMCA funding agreement is given approval.

(iv)            That approval is given for entry into the associated Grant Funding Agreement.

(v)              That the signing and return of the agreement to GMCA be authorised.

Reasons for the decision

To seek approval to accept and enter into a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) for the allocation of Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) 2025/26 uplift funding.

The funding supports delivery of national and Greater Manchester priorities to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, particularly among individuals experiencing long-term and multiple disadvantage.

In Greater Manchester:

Rough sleeping has increased across Greater Manchester, with a year-on-year rise of approximately 28%, and around 43% of individuals experiencing rough sleeping classified as long-term rough sleepers with complex needs

This cohort experiences significant barriers to accessing and sustaining accommodation, including unmet care and support needs.

The funding will enable the Council to:

Strengthen joint working between Housing and Adult Social Care

Deliver targeted statutory interventions including Care Act assessments and safeguarding

Support individuals experiencing long-term rough sleeping and multiple disadvantage

Enable flexible, person-centred support through a Personalisation Fund

Contribute to the Greater Manchester “Live Well” approach and national rough sleeping priorities 

Alternative options considered

Do nothing: would result in loss of funding and reduced ability to meet increasing demand.

Partial delivery: not viable due to ringfenced funding requirements and reporting expectations imposed by GMCA.