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By Tony Grew - 21st July 2011
The government has launched a six-point action plan to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness.
The first report of the Ministerial Working Group on Preventing and Tackling Homelessness was published earlier this month.
Eight Whitehall departments are working together to help people off the streets, get access to healthcare, get people into work, reduce bureaucracy, increase local control over services and devolve responsibility for homelessness.
A key part of the strategy is the 'no second night out' project (NSNO), which will be delivered by charity Homeless Link along with government and other partners.
The government has pledged an additional £20m to Homeless Link for a new Homelessness Transition Fund to support the roll out of NSNO and the delivery of strategic rough sleeper services
"NSNO aims to ensure that anyone who does spend a night sleeping rough anywhere in the country is immediately helped off the streets," Homeless Link said.
"In order to achieve this aim services need to be equipped to provide a swift and effective response.
"Another key principle of NSNO is the reconnection of clients, where appropriate, to their local community.
"Models of delivery will reflect local good practice and needs. Ending rough sleeping is an enormous aspiration, and the NSNO pilot has shown that is it within reach."
The government has committed to a range of measures, including an examination of the costs of homelessness to public services; help for local authorities who have prioritised action to tackle significant numbers of migrant rough sleepers; a review of employment support for homeless people; priority access to further education and skills services for homeless people and the inclusion of the needs of homeless people in the commissioning of health services.
The prime minister has welcomed the report.
"I am confident that we can make a real impact, with the ambition to end the uncertainty, indignity and suffering of rough sleeping," David Cameron said in an introduction to the report.
"Rough sleeping is not just about providing homes.
"It is about dealing with the wider causes of homelessness, from family breakdown and mental illness to drug addiction and alcoholism.
"This is a complex, multi-faceted problem, which is why it is so important that ministers from across government have come together in this working group.
"But ultimately, this report is not about collaboration within government, it’s about collaboration between government and those who work and volunteer at the sharp end – in charities, shelters, community groups and local authorities.
"We are freeing these people from bureaucracy and giving them support to get people off the streets."
Homeless Link welcomed the government's focus on rough sleepers and single homeless people 'not in priority need'.
"We commend the commitment to government working better together, cross-sector working at a local level and the emphasis on the prevention of homelessness.
"The aims of the report represent many of the people and issues for which Homeless Link has campaigned.
"We believe the aims of the report are tough – but achievable."
Article Comments
Homelessness is NOT a choice, and its existence in 21st century Britain is a damning indictment of the vicious, uncaring stupidity of economic precedence that creates this awful situation.
Thatcher was right, 'there IS no such thing as Society' in Britain, there is only profit, work and death.
Robin McKay
22nd Jul 2011 at 10:28 am
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