In an attempt to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, Sheffield City Council is one of many cities to be given grant for housing.
The funding will go towards delivering 800 homes to provide safe living for those in need, and will be used in areas that need the most help.
This is part of the £107m being offered to councils across the country to help create more accommodation for people sleeping rough.
Cllr Douglas Johnson, the chair of the Housing Committee said: “This extra £3 million will go to support three voluntary sector organisations to provide more accommodation for people whilst they are homeless.
“The three projects are Action Housing and Support, Target Housing and Young Women’s Housing Project. These projects not only provide accommodation but also support to people to keep them out of homelessness for the long-term.”
According to data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, more than 4000 people applied to Sheffield City Council to be registered as homeless in 2022, which is the highest figure ever recorded for Sheffield.
Outside of the council’s plans, local charities are also helping to address the issue.
Sheffield Volunteering are holding the Wish You Were Here exhibition created by the Archer Project at The University of Sheffield’s Student Union this week.
The Archer Project is a charity that offers pathways away from street homelessness to a settled and secure life. It’s exhibition features postcards written by those living on the streets, to raise awareness about homelessness in Sheffield.
Amy Coull, the volunteer administrator for Sheffield Volunteering said “some of those involved have died since the exhibition came out.”
The postcards include personal and sensitive messages to loved ones, detailing their tough living situations including living in stolen cars, parks, and under bridges.
Miss Coull said: “This exhibition shows the honest and brutal reality of homelessness.”
Tom Harris’ postcard said: “It’s so scary and all I want is to be left alone. Using is the only time. It’s ok cos when the drugs are in me everything’s glowy.”
Danny’s said: “Been looking at the bridge too. Thinking about jumping off it. Please let me see you and the kids soon!”
Alongside the exhibition Sheffield Volunteering has partnered with Helping Hand Sheffield to collect pairs of new and unused underwear to donate to the Archer Project, a charity which offers support for Sheffield homeless and vulnerable.
They are specifically asking for men and womens underwear in sizes small and medium.
Amy said: “It doesn’t matter if they’re plain black boxers or lacey pink briefs, pants are pants and we need all the pairs we can get.”
If you’d like to check out the exhibition, it’s located in the University of Sheffield’s Student Union, Broomhall, S10 2TG. Donations for the pants drive can be given to the Sheffield SU volunteering Office, Western Bank.
