Homeless charities welcome government strategy for rough sleepers

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Source: CSAN/Shelter/St Mungos

Homeless charities have welcomed the Government's announcement of a £100m strategy for rough sleepers. The plan will offer support for people with mental health problems and addictions, as well as help with accommodation. Housing Secretary James Brokenshire has vowed to make homelessness "a thing of the past", saying the government has pledged to end rough sleeping by 2027.

CSAN's Chief Executive, Dr Phil McCarthy, said: "It's great that the Government has listened to professional charities on how to improve support to people reduced to living on the streets. But many other people cannot access or remain in accommodation because of high rent levels and house prices. We encourage landlords and vendors to take greater responsibility: by accepting more tenants on benefits and, where practical, making property prices more affordable.

"The number of people becoming homeless has been rising since 2008. In 2016, more than a quarter of a million people were homeless in England alone. While average life expectancy for rough sleepers has improved over time to age 47 for men and 43 for women as at 2017, it is still around half of the average for the whole population.

"Some housing professionals have pointed to practice in places like Finland, such as the Housing First approach, to reduce homelessness in England. This approach relies on having properties and adequate support available. The availability of social housing - while still housing nearly 20% of the population - has been declining. The Government has delayed plans for a Green Paper on Social Housing, which was expected before the 2018 Summer Recess in Parliament."

Howard Sinclair, chief executive of St Mungo's Homeless Charity, told Sky News: "£100m won't end rough sleeping by 2027 - it will take more than that. But it's a good start - the money is welcome, it's already being expended in the areas in the country where rough sleeping is at its worst. This new plan shows the government is committed to ending rough sleeping and making a real difference."

Polly Neate, head of Shelter, said: "Let's be clear, this is a step forward and not a total fix for homelessness."

When questioned on BBC Radio 4's Today programme today, Mr Brokenshire said half of the promised £100m had already been committed to homelessness and rough sleeping, with the other half "reprioritised" from existing budgets in his department. "There are significant sums of money being focused and targeted," he said. "Half of that has already been committed to homelessness and rough sleeping. "The other remaining half of this is money that's new to rough sleeping and homelessness, reflecting and recognising the priorities and importance of taxes."

He denied that government policies were behind the rise in homelessness.

Shadow housing secretary John Healey said: "Rough sleeping has more than doubled since 2010 thanks to decisions made by Tory ministers, but this feeble plan lacks any urgency. He added that the next Labour government would end rough sleeping within its first term by making 8,000 homes available to those with a history of sleeping on the streets.

LINKS

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) - www.csan.org.uk

Government Rough Sleeping Strategy - www.gov.uk/government/news/rough-sleeping-strategy-prevention-intervention-recovery