Emergency cash has been used to help homeless people get off the street as the coronavirus outbreak continues.

Seven rough sleepers in Ashford now have homes after the government released funding of £3.2m to councils to help homeless people self-isolate.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has already used its share of the money, which has been targeted for those in the most dire need, such as people with severe underlying medical conditions who are in the highest risk category should they become ill with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Vulnerable people in this category who are sharing bedrooms have also been helped.

ABC has been given £18,750 by the government to provide settled, self-contained accommodation for rough sleepers.

A council spokesman said: “We have wasted no time in putting the promise of this extra funding to good use by bringing in seven rough sleepers who we regarded as highly vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus.

“We had already succeeded in getting the majority of local rough sleepers ‘indoors’ and getting them settled housing. This additional grant has been a big help.”

The move comes as a large disused home in Beaver Road is set to be released this Spring for homeless households

ABC's £1m investment will see the building converted into eight homes, with the capacity to accommodate up to 25 people.

The building is undergoing a full refurbishment and a communal kitchen, dining room and laundry room will all be added.

Named Christchurch Lodge, it is a second project for the council along the lines of Christchurch House, which was snapped up at auction and converted into short-stay accommodation.

The money saved by not placing people in B&Bs meant that the council's investment in the house had been paid off within a four-year period.

Kent-based Jenner Contractors is carrying out the Christchurch Lodge conversion with building work meeting high levels of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

The council also has a variety of accommodation for homeless and vulnerable people made available by commercial landlords for rent such as the three-storey Tufton House, in Tufton Street, Ashford, which has a total of 35 rooms.