Press Release

NO PLACE FOR ROUGH SLEEPING IN 21ST CENTURY EUROPE

2 May 2008

Homelessness charities are welcoming the European Parliament’s call for urgent action from Member States and the EU executive agencies to end street homelessness by 2015.  A majority of MEPs representing all EU countries and across the political spectrum have signed a Written Declaration on ending street homelessness by 2015. It is unusual for a Written Declaration to receive majority support and become parliamentary policy.

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, was involved in the launch of the campaign for the European Parliament to take this step. She welcomed the announcement saying:  "There is no place for rough sleeping in a twenty first century Europe. Now that the European Parliament has shown its clear backing for ridding Europe of this social injustice, the Council of Ministers and Commission should act to ensure there is an action plan in place in each country and annual reports of progress towards the goal of 2015.

Many actions will need to be national, but the particular issue of the homelessness of people moving within Europe to work needs to be addressed at a European level to ensure that no European citizen is left without social protection as a result of moving to work elsewhere within the European Community

This initiative will give extra impetus to our government’s renewed ambition end rough sleeping.  Much progress has been made here already and we are seen as a good practice model internationally. Now is the time for us to show the best way to end rough sleeping completely and to lead the rest of Europe to this goal."

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