30 Jan JACKIE DOYLE-PRICE WELCOMES MEASURES TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS
The Government has announced a package of £48 million to support local Councils in tackling homelessness
Changes to the law are currently being taken through Parliament to improve support for the homeless with Crisis claiming that the changes are “one of the most important developments for homelessness in nearly 40 years.” The measures are intended to enable more support for the single and homeless and early intervention to prevent homelessness.
The changes will strengthen the duties on local authorities to prevent homelessness. There will be a duty on local authorities to relieve the homelessness of anyone who is currently homeless and has a local connection to the area. The changes will also include provisions to ensure that households take reasonable steps to resolve their own homelessness.
Welcoming the changes Jackie Doyle-Price said, “I am pleased that it is Conservatives who have taken up the challenge of tackling homelessness. At this time of year we should take time to think about those sleeping rough. There but for the grace of god go anyone of us. Given the failure over decades to build enough housing, the result has been rising rents which leaves tenants vulnerable to landlords who can always let properties at ever increasing rents. Until we tackle the problem of under-supply and build more houses, homelessness will be a challenge so we must make sure that local authorities are able to help those who fall on hard times.”
