Responding to the additional funding announced by the Chancellor
in the Spending Review to support those at risk of rough sleeping
and homelessness, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association
housing spokesperson, said:
“Councils have done an incredible job getting people
sleeping rough off the streets and have accommodated more than
29,000 people who have faced homelessness since the start of the
coronavirus pandemic.
“It is good the Government has recognised this with
additional funding today, which will help councils to continue
their ongoing efforts to support people at risk of rough sleeping
and homelessness.
“As we fight a second wave of coronavirus, we would also
urge the Government to temporarily remove the No Recourse to
Public Funds condition, which would reduce public health risks
and ease the pressure on homelessness services by enabling
vulnerable people to access welfare benefits, who are currently
unable to do so because of their immigration status.
“In the longer-term, it is also important that there is a
shift towards investing in homelessness prevention services. With
council housing waiting lists set to potentially nearly double as
a result of COVID-19, we are calling for councils to be given
powers to kickstart a post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 new
social homes for rent each year, including reform of Right to
Buy.”
