Stop gatekeeping homeless people warns housing minister

Homeless Link today (13 April 2006) welcomed Housing Minister Yvette Cooper’s call to local authorities not to use prevention approaches as a form of gatekeeping that ‘discourages people from applying for housing assistance.’

The minister issued the warning in a letter sent yesterday to all Chief Housing Officers in England following concerns raised by Homeless Link and our members.

Dominic Williamson, Homeless Link’s Director of Policy, Practice and Campaigns, said:

‘Our members have been telling us that some local authorities have created additional barriers to stop people applying as homeless  - sometimes in the name of “prevention”. These give a bad name to the whole prevention agenda and the good work being done to reduce homelessness in many other areas. We are very pleased that the minister has made such a clear statement that this is not acceptable.’ 

In the letter Yvette Cooper said:

‘I do want to see continued reductions in homelessness numbers, but that must be achieved through more effective help, not as a result of a “gatekeeping” approach that discourages people from applying for housing assistance.’

Dominic Williamson added:

‘We are very supportive of the Government’s prevention agenda and are helping our members to work more closely with local authorities to ensure that anyone threatened with homelessness – not just those considered in priority need - get effective help to avoid becoming homeless. This is a good Easter present for homeless people!’