LGA responds to Shelter winter warning

Responding to the finding from Shelter that its emergency helpline is being contacted once a minute from people who are facing homelessness, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said:

“It’s a tragedy when anyone becomes homeless, and this highlights the growing pressures councils and their partners are under to help those in need of housing support, as a result of the pandemic.

“It was good the Government announced further funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the Spending Review.

“However, 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.”