COUNCIL bosses are “delighted” after a joint bid secured more than £400,000 to tackle homelessness.

The Essex Rough Sleeper Outreach service has been granted a significant financial boost of £460,459 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The programme to help rough sleepers is delivered by the CHESS Homeless charity and is managed by Essex County Council alongside Maldon, Chelmsford, Braintree, Rochford and Epping Forest councils.

Its main aim is to visit and engage with rough sleepers, supplying them with what they may need to come off the streets and into sustainable accommodation.

Maldon District Council leader Adrian Fluker said: “I am delighted that we have been successful in this joint bid which will make a real difference in supporting the delivery of our homelessness, rough sleeper and housing strategy.

“It is a great example of how working in partnership with other local councils can bring wider benefits and I would like to congratulate the team who submitted the bid.”

The service started in September last year and has already become a highly respected and essential lifeline for rough sleepers.

It worked with almost 100 rough sleepers in the first four months and helped 18 long-term rough sleepers into accommodation.

County council spokesman John Spence said: “None of us enjoys the concept of rough sleeping, but sometimes it’s too easy for someone who has fallen on hard times to slip into that lifestyle.

“CHESS have a strong track record in helping people get their lives back together again and this funding will help them both to continue and extend their work.”

Head of CHESS Homeless Rob Saggs added: “We are really pleased about this successful bid from Essex County Council in working together with five local authorities.

“For the Government to fulfil the reduction in the numbers of those becoming homeless on our streets there is a continued need for funding that offers innovative opportunity to help those that are amongst some of the most vulnerable in society.

“We have seen considerable success from the first phase of this funding that has literally saved lives.”

For further information, visit chesshomeless.org.