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It is wrong to say our homelessness reforms aren’t working
We are determined to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, and our Homelessness Reduction Act is making real progress, writes Heather Wheeler
In his column last week, David Bogle, chief executive of Hightown Housing Association, stated that one year after the Homelessness Reduction Act came into force, “the crisis still seems to be getting worse”. This is simply not true.
No one should spend their lives on the streets or without a home to call their own, and we remain wholly committed to reducing all forms of homelessness.
That’s why we introduced the act and why we have invested £1.2bn to tackle all forms of homelessness.
Our latest statistics, published in May, show that numbers are beginning to fall – 61,410 households were made homeless between October and December 2018, which is down more than 8% from the quarter before.
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And we are doing lots more. Let me remind Inside Housing’s readers of the duty to refer, which was introduced in October 2018.
This puts an onus on social services, hospitals, prisons and other organisations to refer people at risk of homelessness to their local housing authority for support.
This is making a real difference and more people are accessing help – and sooner.
We will also be undertaking a review of the Homelessness Reduction Act to ensure that this new legislation is working for all.
It is vital that local government and its partners have the tools and support to effectively implement the act and we will report back on this in March 2020.
We are also reducing rough sleeping. We have seen the first decrease in the number of rough sleepers for eight years and we are working to ensure that remains the story.
Our £100m-backed rough sleeping strategy will create an estimated 2,600 more bed spaces and 750 additional specialist support staff this year, helping to get people off the streets and accessing the support they need to rebuild their lives.
This government is continuing to help people out of homelessness, and we will continue to work with local authorities, charities and community groups to ensure everyone has a safe and secure home – and that rough sleeping is eradicated for good.
Heather Wheeler, housing and homelessness minister
