16th August 2012
Through the Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness, the Government promised to bring departments together to ensure that all of Whitehall was playing its part in tackling homelessness.
Its first report focused on the most visible end of homelessness - those coming onto the streets, often facing advanced and overlapping problems such as offending, drug and alcohol addiction or mental health problems.
This second report turns the attention to think about how services can be managed in a way that prevents all households, regardless of whether they are families, couples, or single people, from reaching a crisis point where they are faced with homelessness.
The report - Making Every Contact Count: A Joint Approach to Preventing Homelessness - claims to have a simple aim, being to make sure that every contact local agencies make with vulnerable people and families really counts.
It aims brings together Government commitments to:
The report can be accessed online via this link.
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said:
"Homeless numbers have risen sharply in recent years and the evidence suggests that, in many cases, this could have been prevented. All too often those who end up sofa surfing, living in squats or on the streets asked for help before they became homeless.
"The vision behind this report - that homeless is everyone's business - is welcomed, as is the ambition that we should all expect the best possible help if we find ourselves threatened with homelessness.
"However, with the potential for welfare reform to further fuel homeless numbers and funding cuts to the very services that help homeless people, this report lacks detail on how this ambition will be achieved in practice.
"To prevent homelessness we all need to play our part and provide the best help possible. But, we also need Government to ensure that welfare reform does not add to homelessness numbers and councils to protect the very services that are critical to preventing homelessness."
Homeless Link has called for four additional commitments to realise the ambition behind the report:
Media Link: Taking Stock
1st August 2012
"It's time for the homelessness sector to step back and take stock to face the challenges ahead."
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive at Homeless Link
Click here to read Rick Henderson's full blog.
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More Investment in Housing and a Rethink on Benefit Cuts is Vital
1st August 2012
Homelessness charity St Mungo's has highlighted the need for more investment in housing and a rethink on benefit cuts, in response to a new findings about the number of people classified as homeless.
An analysis of homelessness rates by data company SSentif (see our July report) found that 50,290 households were identified as priority homeless by councils in England in the year 2011-12, an increase of 6,130 on 2010-11: a 14% increase year on year, and 25% over the last three years.
Mike McCall, St Mungo's Executive Director of Operations, said:
"These concerning homelessness figures come as research from the National Landlords Association shows that the number of tenants falling into rental arrears has also risen. That means potentially even more people in the months ahead needing urgent support to stop them joining the increasing numbers who end up sleeping rough.
"More investment in housing and a rethink on benefit cuts is vital. In the short term, we need to protect funding for legal and housing advice services for people at risk of losing their homes, and avoid further closures of hostels and supported housing for the most vulnerable to move into as they try to rebuild their lives."
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World Habitat Awards 2012 Winners Announced
23rd August 2012
The Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF) announced the winners of the 2012 cycle of the World Habitat Awards.
The awards were established in 1985 by the BSHF as part of its contribution to the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.
Two awards are given annually to projects that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems.
The 2012 winners are:
Every year an award of £10,000 is presented to each of the two winners at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat Day. This year, the awards will be presented at the closing ceremony of the World Urban Forum in Naples on Thursday 6th September 2012.
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How We Can Avoid the Latest Threat to Funding?
24th August 2012
In her latest blog, Helen Mathie - Policy Manager at Homeless Link - writes:
"The £80 million Homelessness Prevention Grant funds a range of services which prevent people becoming homeless and potentially ending up sleeping on the streets. It is used for rent deposits, mediation, reconnection services and much more - all of which bring considerable financial savings quite aside from the obvious benefit of preventing many people becoming homeless.
"Its value has been recognised by the Government at national level, with the announcement in the last spending review of a £400 million investment over four years.
"But planned changes to the current business rates system have cast doubt on its future."
Use this link to read Helen's blog in full.
