Responding to the announcement of a further £203 million for
councils to help rough sleepers off the streets and into safe
accommodation, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association
housing spokesperson, said:
“It is good the Government continues to support councils with
this latest round of funding to tackle rough sleeping. We want to
work with government on a cross-departmental homelessness
prevention strategy to make the success in getting rough sleepers
off the streets during the pandemic the new normal, rather than a
one-off emergency response, and end rough sleeping.
“To prevent homelessness from happening in the first place,
councils will need long-term funding issued through multi-year
settlements to give them the certainty they need to plan local
services.
“There should also be a renewed focus on investing in
homelessness prevention services, ensuring councils have the
resources to support households at risk of homelessness,
including restoration of welfare funding to at least £250 million
a year and a review of the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme.
Clear guidance on whether councils can support homeless adults
with No Recourse to Public Funds as we move through the roadmap
will also help to ensure that everyone who is vulnerable can
access help if needed, regardless of immigration status.”
