27.02.20
PM announces extra £236m to end rough sleeping
An additional £236m in funding has been announced by the Prime Minister today (Feb 27) to help get rough sleepers off the street.
A new independent advisor, Dame Louise Casey, has been appointed to lead an urgent review into the causes of homelessness. This will serve as a blueprint for action, for Government to deliver additional action to end rough sleeping.
Housing First style ‘move on’ accommodation for up to 6,000 vulnerable people on the streets will be made available through this new funding, giving stability and certainty on a more long-term basis.
Robert Jenrick will be appointed a Parliamentary Private Secretary Adam Holloway MP, who’s specific responsibility will be for rough sleeping.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said ahead of a visit to a homeless charity:
“It is simply unacceptable that we still have so many people sleeping on the streets, and I am absolutely determined to end rough sleeping once and for all.
“Today I’ve announced extra funding to help thousands more people get off the streets, and I have appointed Dame Louise Casey as an adviser to undertake an urgent review into the causes of rough sleeping and provide expert advice on vital next steps.
“We must tackle the scourge of rough sleeping urgently, and I will not stop until the thousands of people in this situation are helped off the streets and their lives have been rebuilt.”
Today’s funding will boost suitable housing, in the form of new units, the renting of private properties and the refurbishment of existing accommodation.
The role of Dame Louise will be to investigate how best to support those on the streets and individuals struggling with drug and alcohol misuse and physical and mental health issues.
It comes as part of the government’s wider strategy to tackle homelessness, including a £1.2bn investment and the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act.