The newly-appointed Minister for Housing and Homelessness,
, has told The Westminster
Hour she will resign if the problem of rough sleeping gets worse
on her watch.
The plight of the estimated 4,700 rough sleepers on the streets
of England has been highlighted during past week of sub-zero
temperatures, with a record number of referrals to local
services.
Outlining the government’s approach, the minister confirmed that
“Housing First” pilot schemes will launch next month in the
Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool areas. With £28 million of
government funding, they will offer “wraparound” care for
homeless people, directing them to shelters, and dealing with
drug, alcohol, mental health and family breakdown problems. From
there, homeless people will progress to “move-on” accommodation,
supported by outreach workers – and finally into homes of their
own:
“That is the Utopia and that is the line I want to see happening
for these poor friends,” said.
“The government has accepted, and acknowledges, and wants to do
more in this area – and has given me the budget.”
Asked if she believed the government will meet its target of
eliminating rough sleeping within a decade, the minister said:
“It’s a high ambition. But I don’t see why we won’t get that
sorted.
“I accept that I am inheriting a very difficult, complex problem
– and I also accept that, six weeks in to the job, I am
inheriting a decisive Prime Ministerial decree which I will
deliver.”
Asked by reporter Mark Lobel how she would feel if the problem
gets worse on her watch, she said:
“Well there are two answers to that: a) it won’t and b) I’d
resign.”
On the timeline for improving the situation, she said:
“We’ve certainly got a year. But in truth it’s a very long-term
project.”
