Government told to step-in if welfare cuts increase homelessness

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Health, Local Government

A national charity wants a commitment from the Government to “respond quickly” should welfare reform lead to a rise in homelessness and wants organisations “held to account” if they don’t provide a good service.

Those are the additional commitments Homeless Link – the umbrella body for homelessness charities – wants housing minister Grant Shapps to adopt in his 'Making Every Contact Count report' – a government commitment to help agencies achieve a “gold standard” for homelessness services.

The report has been launched today by Mr Shapps in addition to extra funding to support the extended roll-out of the No Second Night Out scheme, originally launched in London.

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said homeless numbers have “risen sharply” in recent years and the evidence suggests that, in many cases, this could have been prevented.

He said: "All too often those who end up sofa surfing, living in squats or on the streets asked for help before they became homeless.

“The vision behind this report - that homeless is everyone’s business – is welcomed, as is the ambition that we should all expect the best possible help if we find ourselves threatened with homelessness.

“However, with the potential for welfare reform to further fuel homeless numbers and funding cuts to the very services that help homeless people, this report lacks detail on how this ambition will be achieved in practice.”

According to latest Government figures, the number of households accepted as homeless by councils in England has increased by 16% (QRT1 2012 compared to QRT1 2011).

Writing exclusively for 24housing magazine, Mr Shapps said he had made homelessness one of his top priorities and cited figures that showed last year 180,000 households were helped to stay in their home or find a new place to live.

“The ‘step-in-early’ approach is working,” he said.

“I’m now urging local agencies and voluntary services to use every penny of the Government funding they are getting to ensure that early help with repossessions, debt advice and re-housing is readily available, and to ensure that the worst case scenario is avoided for those under the threat of homelessness.”

Mr Shapps also announced today an extra £3.5m to support help and accommodation schemes for rough sleepers and extend the 'No Second Night Out' initiative to eight more areas.

The No Second Night Out initiative - which aims to improve prevention and recovery services for rough sleepers – was first introduced in London but Shapps wants to see the commitment rolled out across the country.

He announced today the funding will support the scheme in eight new areas including: Manchester, Plymouth, Great Yarmouth, North Devon, Taunton, Gloucestershire, Chichester and Worcestershire.

The new funding includes support for new emergency accommodation, a private rented leasing scheme for rough sleepers in Plymouth, a No Second Night Out team in Worcestershire and the improvement of information sharing days in Manchester.

Mr Shapps said: "We have some of the strongest protections in the world to safeguard people from homelessness, despite trying economic times, with homelessness in this country lower than for 28 of the last 30 years. But more can always be done.

"No single voluntary service, government agency, council or government department can prevent homelessness alone - but working together we can make a big impact. Every single contact these vulnerable people have with our public services – from council drop-ins to healthcare visits – should be made to count, turning prevention into the cure for anyone facing the real and frightening prospect of sleeping on the streets.

"And for those who still fall through the cracks, a further £3.5m of Government money to help rough sleepers and roll out our No Second Night Out pledge across the country means that anyone facing losing their home and sleeping rough will get the support they need and deserve."