THE government is set to hand out almost £800,000 to help Colchester Council tackle homelessness.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said tackling homelessness “lies at the heart” of his government’s agenda as he unveiled a £260 million package to kick off the new year.

More than 300 councils across England will receive a slice of the funding, with Colchester receiving £790,892.

Adam Fox, Colchester Council’s housing boss, said the cash would “boost” the council’s five-year strategy to support people who are struggling to secure a home.

“We very much welcome this additional funding, which will help us continue the good work we are already undertaking to combat homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough,” he said.

“It will also help boost our five-year strategy to support those in our community who are struggling to secure the accommodation they so desperately need.

“We are committed to supporting people at risk of becoming homeless in the borough as well as those vulnerable people who find themselves sleeping on the streets.

“With almost 3,000 people still on the housing register we know there is much more which needs to be done, and I hope the news of this announcement will be one more step toward achieving it.”

Of the money, the first £200 million comes from the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant, introduced in 2017 to change the way councils were providing support to those at risk of homelessness.

Colchester MP Will Quince welcomed the boost and said it would go towards furthering the council’s good work.

He said: “This is the third such application we have had, with over half a million so far going to the council.

“To their credit they have used it really well around outreach and micro housing first support. One person sleeping rough is one person too many.

“In Colchester a huge amount has been done to change that.

“I know, having spoken to the Prime Minister, how seriously he takes this pledge to half and then eradicate rough sleeping.”

“He wants to tackle the more complex side of homelessness, from sofa surfing to people living in temporary accommodation.

“This was a key passion of his when he was Mayor of London and you can see it is a passion of his now.”