AROUND £11.2million could be pumped in by Gloucestershire County Council to help homeless and vulnerable people.

The decision would guarantee the future of current services, whilst a government review into supported housing takes place.

Gloucestershire County Council currently funds housing related support through community and accommodation based services.

In February its cabinet will be asked to approve £11m of investment in these services.

Cllr Kathy Williams, cabinet member for adult social care delivery, said: “The county council is proud of the important role we take, working with partners, to help the most vulnerable people in Gloucestershire.

£This £11m investment will make sure that we can continue to make a real difference, alongside partners, to supporting homeless and other vulnerable people and their families.”

Community Based Support Services (CBS) signpost individuals to other more specialist housing related support, including accommodation based providers that help individuals with complex, multiple and high level needs.

This support helps people in vulnerable circumstances to settle or stay in their own homes, get access to education, training or employment and stay independent. It also reduces pressure on other services like health and social care.

The proposals will see each of the current providers who provide accommodation and community based support services receiving a contract for an initial six months.

There will then be options to extend for two further periods of six months each. This represents a sizeable investment in the region of £11.2million.