Homeless Link calls for the protection of services for the most vulnerable

Published by Homeless Link for Homeless Link in Central Government and also in Housing, Local Government

Homeless Link, the national organisation for agencies working to end homelessness, hopes that as the details of the public expenditure cuts become clearer after yesterday’s Budget, protection will be given to those services for the most vulnerable.

Our recent Survey of Needs and Provision  found that almost half of the homelessness organisations who took part indicated that funding pressures and predicted decommissioning of services threaten their services. These findings are reinforced by a survey from the Charity Commission released on 24th March 2010, which highlights the vulnerability of the voluntary sector to spending cuts.

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link said, “The homelessness sector is now completely indispensable in ensuring that the most vulnerable people in society are supported and become positive and active contributors within local communities. It is vital that the need to make savings does not result in all the investment of recent years being wasted. “

We urge those making the decisions to minimise the impact of public expenditure cuts on the most vulnerable, particularly those for whom there is no statutory entitlement to support.

Homeless Link welcomes the Budget’s increase in the tax on high alcohol cider. Our members see every day the negative impact and deterioration in health of homeless people caused by super strength alcoholic drinks. We would like to see this extended to high alcohol lager.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gill Perkins, Head of Communications, on 020 7840 4425 or 07881 921476. www.homeless.org.uk