A hostel funded by Westminster Council has won two top national awards for its work helping former rough sleepers who have experienced years of drug, alcohol and mental health problems.

At the UK Housing Awards, King George's Hostel, run by English Churches Housing Group (ECHG) , won both the award for ''Excellence in meeting the Needs of Vulnerable People'', as well as the overall award for ''Outstanding Achievement in Housing in England''.

The council funds a number of programmes at the hostel on Great Peter Street to help former rough sleepers steer clear of drugs and to gain more independence.

Cllr Philippa Roe, Westminster City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "We are very proud to support King George's Hostel, whose staff carry out excellent work to help rough sleepers access services, training and job opportunities.

"The support at King George's in invaluable, as this is when a vulnerable person is making those key first steps to get their lives back on track."

Rachael Byrne, ECHG's Director of Supported Housing Services, said: "To win the overall Outstanding Achievement Award is a true recognition of the importance of finding innovative ways of working with very excluded groups like drugs users.

"We work with thousands of homeless people each year and we know the benefits not just to them, but also to their local communities of developing services that help them off the streets, into recovery and then to move on positively with their lives.

"It means less demand on health services, less anti-social behaviour, greater family cohesion and this benefits the whole community."

The UK Housing Awards are delivered by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Inside Housing. ECHG was announced as double winners in a national ceremony on 6 November.

ENDS

The number of rough sleepers in central London has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded, according to the latest official figures (Sept 2008).

Westminster City Council's latest street count, which is independently verified and follows strict protocols from the government, shows the number of rough sleepers has decreased by more than 20% - from 89 to 69 since March this year.

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