I have received a number
of communications from constituents bringing my attention to the issue of
homelessness and the work of campaigns such as ‘Everybody In’ calling for all
parties to work together end homelessness for good.
Homelessness matters. In
Parliament and in our constituency I have often spoken about the importance of
tackle this issue and have voiced my strong support for legislations and
initiatives seeking to eradicate homelessness.
I am delighted that the
government intends on leading the fight to end homelessness by publishing its
Rough Sleepers Strategy recently, which commits £100m towards eliminating rough
sleeping in England by 2027. This will include £30m of funding for mental
health and substance abuse services and £50m for new homes outside of London
for those ready to move on from hostels. It will also give renewed focus on
preventing homelessness by providing more intensive support for those
vulnerable to homelessness, including people leaving prison or care.
I am proud to be
supporting the implementation of this strategy, which complements the
Homelessness Reduction Act (came into force at the beginning of April). The Act
provides new support to people who aren’t entitled to help under the current
system, by requiring local authorities to do more to prevent homelessness –
incorporating prevention and relief duties for the councils, as well as a duty
to refer for other public services, and continued protection for affected
families.
Earlier this year I also welcomed
confirmation that Cornwall will receive £437,489, part of a targeted £30m Rough
Sleeping Initiative fund to support those sleeping rough and those at risk in
83 local authorities with the highest need. I am pleased that the Government
has released this further funding to Cornwall Council to help support those
sleeping rough. This represents a significant step in the Government’s plans to
reduce rough sleeping.
This funding nationally will provide for
over 500 new staff focused on rough sleeping. This will include more outreach
workers to engage with people on the streets, specialist mental health and
substance misuse workers and dedicated co-ordinators to drive efforts to reduce
rough sleeping in their areas. It will also provide over 1700 new bed-spaces
nationally including both emergency and settled accommodation.
I look forward to seeing the detail of
what Cornwall Council proposes to do with its funding, and look forward to
working with them to ensure that it is used to provide the best outcome for the
people that need it, the communities they are part of and is good value for the
tax payer.
I applaud the vital work
of campaign groups to ensure that this issue remains on the top of Government’s
agenda. In response to my constituents’ ask for me to raise this issue with my
party leader, I am glad to inform them that I will be placing my full support
behind the Prime Minister as she seeks to tackle homelessness, and will be
working to ensure that the Government be given every resource necessary for it
to keep its pledge of eradicating rough sleeping in the next decade.
