By Charlie Carmichael-
Thousands of rough sleepers will be offered rapid specialist assessments and support, as part of a package of new measures announced in the government’s rough sleeping strategy.
The Communities Secretary today has confirmed the government’s ambition to halve rough sleeping on England’s streets by 2022, and end it altogether by 2027.The government said the strategy will be backed by an additional £100 million, and developed across the government in conjunction with charities and experts. It lays out a 3-pronged approach to tackling rough sleeping. It includes preventing rough sleeping by providing timely support to those at risk, and intervening to help people already on the streets get swift, targeted support.
The British government says it will also help people recover and find a new home quickly and rebuild their lives. The plans, focused on preventing homeless, is a bright step in the right direction. Homelessness is not something anybody should have to experience, it is also an eye sore to the public and tourists. Especially in a first world country, homelessness should really be none existent. It can cause depression and lead to destructive addictions. Under the new measures by the government, those in crisis will get swift, targeted support to help them off the streets and into long term accommodation, where they will be supported as they tackle issues that may hamper efforts to rebuild their lives.
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The new plan recognises that a housing led approach – giving people their own front door – is vital to restoring dignity and a sense of security, hope and recovery.
The Prime Minister Theresa May said:
”Nobody should have to sleep rough, and that’s why we must do all we can to help the most vulnerable in our society get the support they need.
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But we recognise this is a complex issue – as well as ensuring people have somewhere to live, we have to deal with underlying problems and ultimately help people turn their lives around.
The strategy launched today will help us act to prevent rough sleeping before it happens and make sure targeted support is reaching those that need it.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:
It is simply unacceptable that people have to sleep on the streets and I am determined to make it a thing of the past.
Whether people are at risk of rough sleeping, already on the streets or in need of settled accommodation, we have a solid plan to help the most vulnerable in our society.
And this is not just about putting a roof over their heads, but helping them find a place to call home. These vulnerable people need our support and, through our expert-backed strategy, I am confident they will get it.
The government has also announced that it will carry out a review of legislation around homelessness and rough sleeping, including the Vagrancy Act, to ensure the best measures are in place and that rough sleepers are not discriminated against.
Plans outlined in the strategy include:
Preventing rough sleeping by providing timely support to those at risk. The government also plans to pilot suitable accommodation and tailored for those leaving prison so they don’t end up on the streets. It also includes researching the nature and scale of LGBT homelessness to determine what measures need to be put in place to prevent this, making sure that authorities investigate rough sleeper deaths to understand and tackle the root causes
extending the Homelessness Reduction Act to ensure that more people get the help they need faster.
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