Norfolk charity calls for more proactive support for rough sleepers
The Government's announced an 'emergency fund' of £10 million to protect rough-sleepers from cold weather over the winter
A homeless charity in Norfolk is calling on local decision-makers to proactively support rough-sleepers- when 'Cold Health Alerts' are issued- to protect their health and save lives
The Government's announced an 'emergency fund' of £10 million to protect rough-sleepers from cold weather over the winter.
With this funding going to local authorities facing the highest need, over this period.
"1,474 people died when they were homeless in the UK, last year"
Jan Sheldon is from St Martins, who are based in Norwich:
"Everyone who is out their on the streets is experiencing a level of trauma that you or I couldn't begin to imagine.
"At this time of the year, when it's rainy, windy and possibly snowy it's ten times worse. 1,474 people died when they were homeless in the UK, last year.
"The difference that the introduction of this system would make, is that people would be accommodated sooner and we wouldn't have to wait for the temperatures drop below freeze- which is a life-threatening condition- before this would happen.
"So it's about ensuring that local authorities understand that rough sleeping is dangerous and also preventable".
What's the Government doing on this?
In the Autumn Budget, it was announced an additional £233 million will go to tackling all forms of homelessness, taking total spending on reducing homelessness to nearly £1 billion in 2025-26.
The Government says this funding is just one part of their wider drive to fix the housing crisis.
With Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions to be abolished through the Renters’ Rights Bill, that's currently making it's way through Parliament.
While £500 million of new funding is going into the Affordable Homes Programme, which aims to deliver up to 5,000 new social homes.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, said:
“Anyone forced to sleep rough on our streets represents a complete failure of the broken system we’ve inherited. It’s a national disgrace, and we can’t keep sticking plasters on it.
“We are approaching the harshest months of the year which is why we are taking immediate action to reach anyone sleeping rough and help them off the streets this winter.
“Bringing together Ministers across government is a crucial step to tackle this crisis at its root and ensure everyone has access to the basic right of safe and secure housing.”
What's the Conservatives said on this?
Shadow housing minister Kevin Hollinrake said that Labour's housing plans would amount to "bulldozing" green belt sites.
"We're not against building more homes. So we agree with those parts of the plan. What we disagree with is bulldozing greenfield, green belt sites. That's what we'll see. We'll see many of these homes delivered in rural areas, yet a lowering of targets in urban areas, particularly London."