Statement from Dame Louise Casey, the Prime Minister’s
advisor on rough sleeping, on the efforts to support rough sleepers
during the coronavirus pandemic.
Firstly can I add my own condolences to the families and friends
of all those who have so sadly passed away, due to COVID-19.
At the outset of this awful crisis it became clear that what we
needed to do, was do all we can to make sure we were protecting
some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
And we must continue to do so, the pandemic is not over.
For homeless people, the task was to bring as many people in off
the streets and out of communal shelters.
The goal was to protect rough sleepers from the virus, give them
the chance to self-isolate, and, ultimately therefore, to do the
best we can to save their lives.
There was an absolutely extraordinary response, across the public
sector, charities and businesses in response to my call to get
‘everyone in’.
Those efforts have resulted in close to 15,000 people across
England now being helped.
I’d like to take this opportunity, alongside the Secretary of
State, to thank everyone involved – it was an extraordinary and
unusual endeavour. From the dedicated outreach workers, the
hard-working council staff to hotels that have opened their
doors, and faith and community groups who provided friendship and
food.
It has been a heartening example of what we can do when we need
to do it and the best of Britain in this time of crisis.
And, by bringing almost everyone in, we now have an another
extraordinary and unusual endeavour ahead, to try and change
their lives for good beyond the immediate response to COVID-19.
I stand ready to work with all partners and esteemed colleagues
in Wales, in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
So, I’m really pleased the government is investing in these 6,000
new homes along with the extra support and money for the costs of
their support. Meaning that we can help the most vulnerable rough
sleepers, in the long term.
This is a really good start. I am grateful to the Secretary of
State and the Prime Minister for their support. But none of us
should underestimate the challenge ahead in order to keep
everyone in.
There is much more that we need to do, but for now, I’d just like
to thank – those in local government, the health service, the
civil servants and the countless charities and community groups,
who have helped protect this, one of our most vulnerable groups
in our society, during this pandemic.
And those, such as the Prince’s Trust, Business in the Community,
Comic Relief, the Anglican and Catholic churches who have pledged
wider support.
So, now that so many are inside, I hope that we can keep it that
way. What has been done here, is a small but incredible silver
lining – in the dark cloud, that is COVID-19.
