The Mayor of London is funding 200 homes for rough sleepers and domestic abuse survivors to help get them back into stable accommodation.

The Mayor’s ‘move on’ homes will provide a bridge between hostel or refuge accommodation and permanent housing in private-or social-rented properties.

The first homes will be available as early as this autumn, with all new builds to be started by March 2021.

Sadiq Khan is spending £25 million on the first round of housing, with a total of £50 million pounds earmarked for the project.

Homelessness in London increased 18 percent last year with 8,855 people sleeping rough, according to annual data from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network.

And across the country almost 2,000 families fleeing domestic abuse are at risk of becoming homeless each year, according to a report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness.

As well as secure accommodation, the Mayor’s scheme will offer residents mental health support, money management advice, help finding jobs, education and training, and referrals to other agencies.

The homes will be built by London housing association One Housing Group and Resonance Real Lettings Property Fund.

The Mayor said the new housing would provide help London’s most vulnerable people find stable longterm accommodation.

He said: “Once former rough sleepers and victims of domestic abuse have received the immediate support they need, the next priority is helping them move on from hostels and refuges into somewhere safe and stable to live.

“These homes will offer a vital stepping stone as they are supported to live more independently and move on with their lives.

“It is now crucial the Government urgently funds longer-term accommodation for former rough sleepers and victims of domestic abuse.”