York has been chosen as one of only 15 champions to promote best practice in preventing and tackling rough sleeping, the government announced today (Thursday 11 June).

Each of the champions has established good practice and a track record in preventing and tackling rough sleeping.

York's Multiagency Resettlement Strategy Group has been chosen to share its expertise in multi agency working, pathway working and specialist intervention services.

The Group includes City of York Council, Arc Light. Peasholme, Foundation Housing, YACRO, the Salvation Army, Future Prospects and the Richmond Fellowship.

York will receive almost £12,000 funding during 2009/10 to provide advice, information on best practice to other areas.

Tim Carroll, Resettlement Services manager at City of York Council, said: "Sharing good practice is something we have always been happy to do both on a local and national level, and it is great to be formally recognised by the government as Champions for our innovative approach to tackling rough sleeping. We are looking forward to offering guidance to other rough sleeper teams on multi agency working, but also of taking advantage of building a network of contacts with whom we can further develop our own services for the benefit of our customers."