The report,
A Placeto Call Your Home, is the result of discussions with more than 300 people and organisations, from CEOs to people who have experienced homelessness.
It presents a “roadmap” for the next ten years. It shows what a country without homelessness could look like and lays out the principles are most necessary to shape the future of homelessness support.
Jake Berry MP, who hosted yesterday’s event, told Central Lobby:
“The Homeless Link approach is to look at the causes of homelessness not just the figures - relationship breakdowns, sofa surfing, people not getting the right benefits.
“The idea of treating the disease rather than just reacting to the symptoms is a really good approach and one I hope the government will look at.
“If we are honest we will never abolish homelessness, but to have the aim of ending homelessness is a really good start and we should start there.
“The stark fact is if you live on the streets your average lifespan is 47 - that single fact should put this at the top of the agenda.
“Sometimes organisations like Homeless Link can hold a mirror up to government. They can work in partnership and make suggestions, but also be critical friends to make sure we get this right.”
A Placeto Call Your Homesets out core goals around homelessness prevention and provision over the next three, five and ten years. It calls for faster responses, shorter routes from homelessness to independence, a commitment to long-term support, and help for people to realise their potential.
Speaking at the report launch yesterday, housing minister Mark Prisk said:“We need to look at the causes that lie behind rough sleeping, and it is good to see that in the report.”
Shadow housing minister Jack Dromey said:
“The sad reality is, after a decade of progress, the situation is now getting worse.
“We are facing the biggest housing crisis in a generation, which dates back prior to May 2010. We are also seeing the biggest cuts in local authority funding.
“What do we need? We need a new generation of affordable homes. We need decent jobs with a living wage. We need a benefits system which is not just about welfare to work, but about genuine support.
“I hope we have seen the end of that daft proposal to end housing benefit for the under 25s.”
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said:
“Anyone can become homeless and it normally happens at the end of a long chain of other life events. It’s an issue that harms individuals, damages communities and costs the tax payer significant sums of money to sort out. Yet in most cases homelessness could be prevented.
“The number of people without a home is on the rise and if we do not take action, things could get worse. As a society, we need to act faster to prevent people from losing their homes, ensure if you become homeless it’s for the shortest time possible and support individuals to realise their potential and avoid becoming homeless again.
“Ensuring people have a place they can call home is ultimately better for all of us. We urge individuals and organisations to join with us to help put in place the policies, services and attitudes that are needed to help end homelessness.”