Business leaders are being urged to give jobs to former rough
sleepers in a bid to help keep people off the streets for good.
At a meeting with top executives today (22 February 2022),
ministers called on business and charity leaders to be more
generous in offering employment opportunities to former homeless
people, challenging the stigma around giving jobs to people who
been living on the streets.
The drive is part of a £2 billion package of funding to help
eradicate rough sleeping by targeting the root causes of the
problem and ending rough sleeping by the close of this
Parliament.
Employment improves the accommodation prospects for people
experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping both in the long and
short term – an income means they have more choices and an
employment contract will improve the negotiation position of any
tenant.
At today’s virtual round table, Minister for Rough Sleeping and
Housing Eddie Hughes, and Minister for Welfare Delivery David
Rutley, stressed that finding jobs for people was key to helping
to end homelessness and called on businesses to do more.
Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing said:
A job for someone who has been homeless or slept rough is a vital
step towards helping them to rebuild their life and can be
crucial to ending the cycle of homelessness.
There was a huge amount of support around the table today – and
we heard first-hand just how much giving someone who was homeless
a job benefits the individual and the business.
Now I’m calling on more businesses – big and small – to step up
and do their bit to change lives – just by simply giving someone
a chance.
Minister for Welfare Delivery said:
We’re determined to help vulnerable people as best we can, with
wraparound support that is designed to get people back on their
feet. One of the most important milestones on this journey is
getting people back into work, and Universal Credit’s individual
tailored employment support, in addition to its financial
element, is a vital resource to help people take that next step
towards rebuilding their lives.
I encourage any and all businesses to collaborate with our
fantastic jobcentres to see how they can make a difference in
vulnerable people’s lives and explore the untapped potential of
this group.
SCS JV Skills, Education and Employment Manager Frankie
Jones said:
With 34,000 jobs forecast to construct HS2, there is an
unprecedented opportunity to shape the workforce of tomorrow.
Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV) works in two
boroughs that have the highest homeless rates in London and we
are working to make a difference, alongside our supply chain,
offering full time employment on HS2 to people who have
experienced homelessness.
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said:
It is great to see the UK government encouraging businesses to do
their bit to tackle rough sleeping. Through our services, we know
that access to well-paid, secure work is vital to helping people
end their homelessness.
No one should be denied reaching their full potential because
they have no home. With the right support and the stability of a
safe and secure home, people who have experienced homelessness
make hugely positive contributions to businesses and society.
We look forward to working with employers and the UK government
to ensure training and employment opportunities are available to
help people leave homelessness behind for good.
