Home Secretary ‘missing the point’ with homelessness comments
Suella Braverman has outlined proposals to stop tents being given to homeless people
Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s comments on homelessness being a ‘lifestyle choice’ have been called ‘incredibly concerning’ by a homeless charity’s CEO.
Andrew Lord, Chief Executive of Salisbury-based charity Alabaré, says Ms Braverman’s statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) ‘miss the point’.
“We're about supporting the vulnerable in our society, the homeless. Unfortunately, people become homeless for a whole variety of reasons,” he said.
“And what's important is that we work together to ensure that they do have a stable home to go to and they get the appropriate support as well,” Andrew added.
He believes that no one should be living in tents and a collaborative approach is needed to get homeless people into stable homes.
People end up living on the streets for many reasons.
Relationship breakdown, addiction, debt, job loss or leaving prison with nowhere to go, are some of the reasons Andrew listed to Greatest Hits Radio.
He said: “We recognise that people need good quality homes. It's that one those basic things that everybody should have access to.
“But we also recognise that people who have had these issues, that have result in them becoming homeless in the first place, need support.
“That may be short term interventions. It may be long term support and, for me, the two things go hand in hand good quality accommodation and support for those people who need it.”