Posted 23.02.18
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government: Article link
For the first time, prisons, probation services, Jobcentres and NHS Trusts will be among the organisations that have a duty to help those at risk of becoming homeless and refer them to a housing authority.
In new guidance, the Government has outlined how councils and public bodies must support the homeless or those at risk of losing their home under their new duties introduced by the Homelessness Reduction Act.
The Act places new legal duties on English councils to intervene at an earlier stage to prevent homelessness.
Councils will now be required to ensure the advice and information they provide is designed to meet the needs of particular at risk groups including care leavers, people leaving prison, people who have left the armed forces, survivors of domestic abuse and those suffering from a mental illness.
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Posted 07.02.18
Welsh Government: Article link
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Housing and Regeneration, published policy documents which set out new approaches to tackling homelessness in Wales.
She said:
"I am publishing a policy document which outlines how Housing First will be taken forward across Wales. There is strong evidence that Housing First works best where its core principles are followed - housing with no strings attached, ready and available support services and access to funds to help meet individuals' needs.
"I am also launching our Action Plan to reduce rough sleeping. Developed with organisations including Shelter Cymru, and members of Rough Sleepers Cymru, it covers a range of activity, supporting people to engage with services and get off the streets as quickly as possible."
Councils in Wales will also receive grant funding of £2.8 million in 2018/19 to embed homelessness prevention best practice models which will help to reduce rough sleeping and prevent youth homelessness.
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Posted 02.02.18
Mayor of London: Article link
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is investing £15 million in a new scheme that aims to purchase hundreds of homes for Londoners who have been, or are at risk of becoming, homeless.
The scheme will purchase around 330 existing private properties in good condition, and let them at genuinely affordable rents to some of the most vulnerable Londoners, helping them to get back on their feet into independent living.
The properties will offer individuals and families who are ready to move on from hostels and other temporary accommodation and live independently in a stable, affordable home.
Tenants will also be able to access wider support to help them move into training and employment.
The scheme, "Real Lettings Property Fund 2" will be run by Resonance Limited, a social impact investment company, and homelessness charity St Mungo's.
On top of City Hall's £15 million, the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth and Westminster have committed a total £45 million to the scheme.
Resonance hope to get the support of other boroughs and investors to reach the fund target of £100 million.
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Updated 15.02.18
