Homelessness strategy

ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the Department for Communities and Local Government's draft strategy on tackling homelessness.

Housing minister Iain Wright made the announcement and said the strategy included measures to improve employment and training opportunities for homeless people.

Government response: DCLG

Iain Wright, housing minister, said: "Over the last 10 years, we've seen major reductions in the number of rough sleepers. But we can do more to drive this figure down further. 

"Our ambition should be to get rough sleeping down to as close to zero as possible. We need to change all hostels from simply beds for the night into places where an individual can learn skills that will help them back into a stable home and a stable working life.

"When the Tories were last in power the numbers of rough sleepers were not consistently recorded.  With Labour the number of people who are sleeping rough is down to fewer than 500 - a reduction of 73 per cent. 

"It's all very well for Grant Shapps to spend a night sleeping outdoors for a PR stunt - but the Tories need to get serious and promise to match Labour's biggest ever cash injection to help Britain's most vulnerable off our streets.

"And until the Tories stop opposing new housebuilding and get behind our ambitious targets, those in need of more affordable housing to rent or buy will not be able to take them seriously. David Cameron must show some leadership and stand up to the NIMBYs in his party."


Party response: Liberal Democrats

Lembit Öpik, housing spokesperson, said: "I'm glad that the government has finally woken up to the need to provide more than a bed for the night but today's announcement fits very badly with the cuts to the Supporting People budget that the government introduced this year. They're giving with one hand but taking with the other.

"Any homelessness strategy must also be backed up with real data but the street counts the government currently relies on show just the tip of the iceberg of the homelessness problem. Is it really believable that there were just three rough sleepers in the North East in 2007? It's time for a real homelessness census."


Stakeholder response: Homeless Link



To send a comment to Homeless Link clickhere

Jenny Edwards, chief executive, said: "We applaud the commitment the government is making to tackle this deep social exclusion with vigour and renewed ambition. The Places of Change approach shows that, with the right support, people can leave rough sleeping behind forever.

"Over 10 years an estimated 19,000 people have left the streets in London alone. Now we need a fresh approach to prevent new people falling into rough sleeping and to join up support so people can rebuild their lives.

"We call on the health, criminal justice and skills agencies to play their part fully. Homeless Link will be challenging everyone to aim higher, in their strategies and services. If we get this right, within the next four years Britain can become the first country in the world to end rough sleeping."