Money In The Budget To Help Fight Homelessness

In last week’s budget, chancellor George Osborne announced a series of measures to help curb rising levels of homelessness across England, according to a report by Homeless Link.

The Chancellor said (without a hint of irony): “We’re not prepared to let people be left behind. I am also announcing a major new package of support worth over £115 million to support those who are homeless and reduce rough sleeping”. The budget document also promised that further decisions on funding “protections for the supported housing sector” would follow from research currently being undertaken.

The announcement follows years of funding cuts to homeless services and changes to benefits that have disproportionately affected people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. However, only with a strategy that takes into account the full picture of homelessness, and addresses the reasons it happens in the first place, will these new measures make the expected difference for people.

Homeless Link’s Chief Executive, Rick Henderson, said: “The past few years have been a challenge for our members, working with fewer resources in an uncertain funding environment to tackle increasing levels of homelessness. That is why we welcome today’s announcement by the Chancellor. Government leadership and action will be crucial in reversing current trends.

“However, it is essential to view the bigger picture of homelessness. Today’s measures need to be worked into a broad national strategy, with strong partnerships between local services and local and national government.

“Such a strategy needs to take into account the chronic shortage of genuinely affordable accommodation, and ensure that those on benefits are not excluded from it. It needs to ensure that ongoing reform of the benefit system does not put at risk the existence of vital frontline services that support people out of homelessness.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with our members and the Government to find the best approaches to reducing and ending homelessness in the years to come.”