London Councils has called for a new approach to homelessness, following a report from the National Audit Office.
The report delved into the effectiveness of government in tackling homelessness, with the main findings being that homelessness is now at its highest level since comparable data collection began in the early 2000s, whilst a shortage of available homes is making it even more expensive for local authorities to house people in temporary accommodation.
Alongside this, local authority spending on homelessness services has more than doubled since 2010-2011, putting extreme financial pressure on councils. According to the report, some councils have told the NAO that this strain could force them to issue a Section 114 notice, whilst the way that central government funds homelessness services is “complex, fragmented, and sometimes uncertain.”
London Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, Cllr Grace Williams, said:
“Homelessness represents a national emergency and urgently needs a new approach.
“Every homelessness case is a human tragedy. One in every 23 children in London is currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation. These rates of homelessness have massive impacts on individual wellbeing and opportunities, as well as contributing to unsustainable financial pressures on council budgets.
“But homelessness is not inevitable. As this report clearly demonstrates, government policy could be far more effective in tackling homelessness and getting to grips with its underlying causes. Better coordination across government departments, greater housing security, sufficient funding for councils, and more investment in building affordable homes are key to turning the situation around.
“London boroughs are determined to work with the new government and the Mayor of London in tackling this crisis – there is not a moment to waste.”
As part of plans to tackle homelessness, London Councils have a number of policy priorities, including:
- Boosting Homelessness Prevention Grant Funding
- Removing the 2011 subsidy cap on Local Housing Allowance that is payable for temporary accommodation
- Enable councils to buy more accommodation sold by private landlords
- Bringing forward a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness#
According to London Councils’ estimates, the equivalent of one in every 50 Londoners is currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation. Included in this figure is one in every 23 children, resulting in at least one homeless child in every classroom.
To hear more from experts across housing and homelessness, make sure you watch Public Sector Executive’s Homes and Homelessness Online Conference on demand now.
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