Homelessness
In emergencies, we need to plug the gaps in the social safety net
Discretionary cash support must be included in the toolbox for any major emergency response, says British Red Cross hardship fund programme manager Alex Ballard.
Homelessness charity calls for Home Office rules to be scrapped
Home Office rules ‘undermine’ efforts to end rough sleeping and should be ‘scrapped immediately,’ a charity has said.
MPs call for government to 're-commit' to Everyone In
Councils ‘can and should’ provide accommodation for all homeless people, a report by MPs has concluded.
Treat the housing and homelessness crises as a national emergency
To eradicate rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament the Government needs to move beyond commissioning short-term accommodation solutions, says Brian Jennings.
In support of women’s refuges
Baroness Claire Fox warns that proposed legislation to help councils protect women facing domestic violence could end up with unintended consequences.
COVID exposed true extent of rough sleeping crisis, says PAC
MPs have raised serious questions about the Government’s homelessness strategy after the pandemic exposed the number of people sleeping rough was much higher than Whitehall estimates.
One year on, councils will be central to recovery
After an extraordinary year, council staff are exhausted, worn down and facing further cuts, says Heather Jameson. But she has no doubt they will continue to rise to the challenge 'whether it is in an office, at home or on a laptop anywhere'.
Picking up the pieces and rethinking public services
As Rishi Sunak braces the UK for tax rises 'it has to be about more than just replenishing the public purse', writes Heather Jameson. 'This is a chance to rethink public services and how we fund them.'
Councils fear homelessness ‘tidal wave’
Local authorities are braced for a surge in the number of homeless people as protections put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic are allowed to lapse.
Rough sleeping stats: 'We're still a long way from zero'
The number of people sleeping rough in England was up by more than half on 2010 despite the Everyone In scheme, the latest annual snapshot has shown.
Ban on bailiff evictions in England extended by six weeks
A ban on bailiff evictions has been extended until the end of March to protect renters during the current lockdown restrictions.
Call for clarity on support for rough sleepers
A minister has been pressed to issue new guidance for councils on what support can be given to rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Uncertain future for migrant rough sleepers
MPs have raised concerns about the future of rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) due to their visa status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Casey calls for stronger rough sleeping prevention
Tackling rough sleeping has been ‘dumped on’ local authorities, according to the woman behind the lifesaving Everyone In scheme.
We’ll support councils to end homelessness
Last week’s call by the Government for councils to redouble efforts to bring ‘Everyone In’ is timely and essential, says Rick Henderson of Homeless Link.
COVID-19 reveals scale of rough sleeping ‘far exceeds’ previous estimates
The scale of the rough sleeping population in England ‘far exceeds’ the Government’s previous estimates and has been made clear during the pandemic.
Councils asked to 'redouble efforts' on rough sleeping
English councils have been asked to ‘redouble their efforts’ to help accommodate people sleeping rough, with the Government finding an additional £10m funding.
Government urged to bring back Everyone In programme
The Government has been urged to ensure all rough sleepers are housed during the third national lockdown.
Minister denies ‘criminalisation’ of rough sleepers
A minister has denied homeless people are being criminalised following laws allowing the deportation of rough sleepers.
Rough sleepers to get extra support for drug and alcohol dependency
Extra funding will be given to 43 areas across England to help rough sleepers recover from drug and alcohol misuse.
