Charities call for increased commitment to house the vulnerable

Three leading national charities representing the third sector involved in housing, support and homelessness issued a joint call to government today.

They are calling on the Treasury to demonstrate the Government's commitment to tackling deep social exclusion and homelessness by building on the foundation of the Supporting People programme and introducing a new PSA target in the 2007 Comprehensive Funding Review.

The joint submission by Homeless Link, the National Housing Federation and SITRA includes survey findings that reveal substantial inadequacies in the services needed by homeless and deeply excluded individuals.

For example, 70% of homelessness charities surveyed identified lack of adequate support for addiction and mental health problems. More than 50% identified problems with the adequacy of resettlement and employment options.

In light of this information, the groups are calling for a Public Service Agreement (PSA) target across government and local government to ensure that deeply excluded people with multiple needs receive the services they need to address their problems and move forward with their lives.

Jenny Edwards, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: "Homelessness is about more than being without a roof. Many homeless people have multiple needs and can feel that they have a mountain to climb to get their lives back on track. Supported housing is the foundation for putting things right but much more needs to be done to make sure public services are available to this often challenging group.  There is also currently an important gap in funds for activities which help people regain their self esteem and motivation, although these are essential for people to feel able to take practical steps forward."

The three groups are calling for increased funding of the Supporting People programme to meet unmet needs. Described by the groups as one of the Government's "great successes", the programme has, since its launch in 2003, helped over one million socially excluded people by providing housing and support.

Emphasising the need for ongoing Supporting People funding, Emma Daniel, chief executive of SITRA said: "'It is imperative that the CSR on Supporting People recognises not only the evidenced cost  benefits to other departments but also that this funding reaches the most vulnerable and marginalised  in society via the Third Sector in a way that isn't possible through usual statutory service delivery. It saves lives.'"

Their final recommendation, not surprisingly, is for more capital investment in accommodation for the most excluded groups. The organisations are calling for provisions in the National Affordable Housing Development Programme for "move on" accommodation for those currently stuck unnecessarily in hostels, funding for specialist supported housing for those with greater needs, and continued investment in the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme (HCIP) to cover a wider range of services.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: "There is a housing time bomb ready to go off in this country and a chronic lack of supported accommodation. We need to see 210,000 new affordable homes built during the spending review period – with 5,600 per year dedicated to supported housing."

Three leading national charities representing the third sector involved in housing, support and homelessness issued a joint call to government today.

They are calling on the Treasury to demonstrate the Government's commitment to tackling deep social exclusion and homelessness by building on the foundation of the Supporting People programme and introducing a new PSA target in the 2007 Comprehensive Funding Review.

The joint submission by Homeless Link, the National Housing Federation and SITRA includes survey findings that reveal substantial inadequacies in the services needed by homeless and deeply excluded individuals.

For example, 70% of homelessness charities surveyed identified lack of adequate support for addiction and mental health problems. More than 50% identified problems with the adequacy of resettlement and employment options. [See chart for full details]

In light of this information, the groups are calling for a Public Service Agreement (PSA) target across government and local government to ensure that deeply excluded people with multiple needs receive the services they need to address their problems and move forward with their lives.

Jenny Edwards, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: "Homelessness is about more than being without a roof. Many homeless people have multiple needs and can feel that they have a mountain to climb to get their lives back on track. Supported housing is the foundation for putting things right but much more needs to be done to make sure public services are available to this often challenging group.  There is also currently an important gap in funds for activities which help people regain their self esteem and motivation, although these are essential for people to feel able to take practical steps forward."

The three groups are calling for increased funding of the Supporting People programme to meet unmet needs. Described by the groups as one of the Government's "great successes", the programme has, since its launch in 2003, helped over one million socially excluded people by providing housing and support.

Emphasising the need for ongoing Supporting People funding, Emma Daniel, chief executive of SITRA said: "'It is imperative that the CSR on Supporting People recognises not only the evidenced cost  benefits to other departments but also that this funding reaches the most vulnerable and marginalised  in society via the Third Sector in a way that isn't possible through usual statutory service delivery. It saves lives.'"

Their final recommendation, not surprisingly, is for more capital investment in accommodation for the most excluded groups. The organisations are calling for provisions in the National Affordable Housing Development Programme for "move on" accommodation for those currently stuck unnecessarily in hostels, funding for specialist supported housing for those with greater needs, and continued investment in the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme (HCIP)(5) to cover a wider range of services.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: "There is a housing time bomb ready to go off in this country and a chronic lack of supported accommodation. We need to see 210,000 new affordable homes built during the spending review period – with 5,600 per year dedicated to supported housing."