EXTRA funding to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping has been announced by Greater Manchester’s mayor.

Andy Burnham says he has ‘secured’ an additional £829,000 from the government, adding to £1.8 million already committed to the region.

Homelessness and begging in Bolton town centre have become a key issue, with Bolton Council chiefs considering a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle anti-social behaviour issues.

Speaking of the new funding, Paul Dennett, Greater Manchester lead for housing, homelessness and infrastructure, said: “This vital new funding is to be welcomed as we have worked hard to make the Social Impact Bond a success. People are engaged, the uptake is high and the retention rates are excellent, demonstrating just how well the scheme is helping people turn their lives around.

“However, there is so much more to do. Across the city-region we are co-ordinating our response to what is a humanitarian and systemic crisis; we are innovating and doing things differently and I restate the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s pledge to end the need for rough sleeping here by 2020.