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- Funding to support flood-hit families in temporary accommodation
Funding to support flood-hit families in temporary accommodation
| Published | 31 January 2008 |
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Floods Recovery Minister John Healey today announced that nine councils will receive a share of £1million to support the most vulnerable people in their communities affected by last summer's floods.
These councils are in the front line supporting those who need special help with accommodation and care or other needs over the winter months and are free to spend the money as they see fit. The money, allocated around the relative number of households still displaced in each area, will be with councils shortly.
Earlier this week John Healey chaired a roundtable with representatives of these worst affected councils. They reported that key issues include stress caused by overcrowding, safety concerns and high fuel costs. Many of the authorities are already providing support such as laundry facilities, food vouchers, safety checks, free access to leisure facilities and help with fuel bills. The payments announced today could help councils continue this support or provide other assistance as required.
Government has made up to £65million available to communities hit by last summer's floods - with more support to follow. In addition the Government's team of homelessness specialist advisors have been in contact with the worst affected councils and are on hand to support councils where needed.
At this week's roundtable the Minister heard how every effort continues to be made to get people back home as quickly as possible. Latest estimates show that around 7,120 households in these nine areas are not fully back in their homes with just over a quarter of these temporarily living in caravans.
The Association of British Insurers also confirmed that over £1billion of insurance claims have now been paid out and of those who had to leave homes over half are now back.
John Healey said:
"Although a huge amount has been achieved in getting communities back on their feet, I am concerned having seen for myself the problems and stress some families still face from overcrowding and the difficulty in doing everyday jobs like cooking meals for the family or children having peace and quiet to do homework.
"Having visited families in these areas in recent weeks I know that many councils are working hard to give them the support they need including extra security, children's clubs, free access to leisure centres and counselling.
"This new money will help the small number of councils with a large number of households not yet back in their homes to carry on that vital work. Obviously what people want most is to be able to return to their homes. While good progress is being made I want to ensure everything possible is being done."
Notes to editors
1. Details of today's payments are set out below:
| Authorities to which grant is to be paid | Amount of grant |
| Kingston upon Hull City Council | £362,000 |
| East Riding of Yorkshire Council | £266,000 |
| West Berkshire Council | £71,000 |
| Doncaster Metropolitan District Council | £71,000 |
| Gloucester City Council | £50,000 |
| Tewkesbury Borough Council | £50,000 |
| Wychavon District Council | £50,000 |
| Cotswold District Council | £40,000 |
| West Oxfordshire District Council | £40,000 |
| Total | £1,000,000 |
The payments are based on the basis of the best available data held by local authorities on the number of households still displaced from their homes after the summer 2007 floods.
2. Today's payments are intended to help the small number of councils with the biggest housing pressures. Other areas still face considerable problems but are doing excellent work supporting their communities. Financial support has been made available to them and there will be more help to come.
3. In December John Healey commissioned a survey to identify practical issues such as lack of laundry facilities, high heating costs and the problems associated with everyday jobs like cooking meals for the family or children having peace and quiet to do homework. It also highlighted a rise in stress levels of both young and old caused by living in an overcrowded environment.
This round of flood recovery grant is being paid out to local authorities that have more than 200 households who remain displaced from their homes following the floods of summer 2007.
4. In recent weeks John Healey has been working with the worst affected local authorities to get estimates of those still out of their homes and has agreed a comprehensive action plan with councils and the insurance industry to help people still badly affected by the floods:
Local authority action:
- Checks on those in caravans to assess needs
- Better information to households still out of their homes.
Insurance industry action:
- Continued emphasis on effective information to householders about how long a return home may take.
Central Government action:
- Making our central homelessness advisors available to flood-affected local authorities.
- Inviting councils to adapt their timetables for the multi-billion pound decent homes programme to help get their tenants back into fully renovated homes as quickly as possible.
- Consider what more support we can give to the worst hit areas, which has been delivered today.
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