Responding to a report by Crisis which has found that over
half of frontline services have seen a rise in homelessness in
the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Cllr David Renard, LGA
housing spokesman said:
“Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, councils have
faced significant challenges housing large numbers of homeless
people in a short space of time. However, thanks to a monumental
effort, the overwhelming majority - nearly 15,000 – of rough
sleepers and homeless people have been found accommodation, while
councils have also worked closely with those tenants who are
experiencing financial difficulty as a result, to help them
remain in their homes.
“Following the initial surge in demand for accommodation,
councils are also now experiencing an urgent need for more
accommodation as people, including young people, continue to face
homelessness and rough sleeping.
“While the recently announced funding for councils to
support rough sleepers is positive, we still need clarity from
government on what additional practical support will be available
to councils to help them move people out of hotels and temporary
accommodation and into housing.
“Allowing councils to be able to keep 100 per cent of
receipts from Right to Buy sales and extending the deadline to
spend the money to at least five years, will also allow councils
to get on with the job of building the new homes that people in
their areas desperately need.”
