Homelessness Reduction Bill needed to stop long term damage of homelessness
Jacqui McCluskey, Director of Policy and Communications at Homeless Link, comments on the Homelessness Reduction Bill reaching report stage.
With the Homelessness Reduction Bill reaching its report stage, today is another important moment for this country. After almost 15 years of the status quo, this Bill has the potential to bring much-needed improved support for people at risk of or facing homelessness a step closer to reality.
We hope to see the Bill pass today so that the good practice and innovation in homelessness prevention already demonstrated by many councils, can become standard across the country. Preventing homelessness before it begins makes sense, and we look forward to earlier action to stop the long-term damage and cost of homelessness to individuals and society as a whole.
While Homeless Link has been a strong supporter of the Bill, we have argued that it needs additional resources to ensure effective implementation. We welcome the Government’s 17 January announcement that English councils are to receive a further £48 million in funding to help them meet the costs of the legislation. However, this pot is unlikely to be enough and we call on the Government to regularly review the Bill’s costs to ensure that it is fully funded and can meet its goals.
