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Thangam Debbonaire responds to Luke Hall suggestion that rough sleepers should move in with family and friends

Wednesday, 3 June 2020 15:01

Thangam Debbonaire MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, responding to Housing Minister Luke Hall writing to councils to suggest that rough sleepers should move in with family and friends, said: “When Robert Jenrick pledged to end rough sleeping in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis Labour offered its support, but this half-baked suggestion shows that this Government is already rowing back from that promise. “These comments...Request free trial

Thangam Debbonaire MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, responding to Housing Minister Luke Hall writing to councils to suggest that rough sleepers should move in with family and friends, said:

“When Robert Jenrick pledged to end rough sleeping in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis Labour offered its support, but this half-baked suggestion shows that this Government is already rowing back from that promise.

“These comments smack of incompetence - Luke Hall has shown a woeful lack of understanding about the complex reasons why so many people sleep rough in this country; if rough sleepers were able to return to their friends and family, they would not be sleeping rough. They need somewhere safe to live and the support to make a go of it.

“The Government should be working with councils to fulfil its commitment to end rough sleeping, not washing of its hands of the responsibility to house the homeless.

Ends

Notes to Editors

· The Housing Minister Luke Hall has written to councils suggesting that they encourage rough sleepers given emergency accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic to move in with family and friends. The Minister made the call in a letter to local authorities last week, requesting that they set out next-step support plans for rough sleepers housed during the pandemic within seven days. The letter appears to row back on the Government’s earlier pledge to end rough sleeping for good.

Source: https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/encourage-rough-sleepers-to-move-in-with-family-and-friends-government-tells-councils-66643

Robert Jenrick on 24th May – 6,000 new homes to end rough sleeping

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/6-000-new-supported-homes-as-part-of-landmark-commitment-to-end-rough-sleeping

MHCLG Select Committee report 22nd May: Government must establish £100m fund for rough sleepers

Source: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/17/housing-communities-and-local-government-committee/news/146584/government-must-establish-100m-housing-support-fund-or-risk-losing-golden-opportunity-to-end-rough-sleeping/

Shelter response to Robert Jenrick’s 24/5 announcement:

Source: https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_releases/articles/shelter_response_to_government_plans_to_end_rough_sleeping_for_good