Tough year for the homeless sector

Speaking at Homeless Link's parliamentary reception on Wednesday afternoon, housing minister Grant Shapps said the government did not underestimate the “size and scale” of the homelessness problem, but admitted that the current financial climate, and changes to welfare, are putting increasing pressures on people's lives.

Reception host Karen Buck MP praised the outstanding work of individuals working within the homelessness sector in tackling rough sleeping, but said they were facing "fresh challenges again in terms of numbers".

A 23 per cent increase in rough sleeping was reported last month, but Shapps maintained that London, where initiatives such as No Second Night Out are having a very positive effect, had not seen an increase.

The minister also announced a further £5m worth of funding for an innovative new 'payment by results' scheme aimed at getting London's persistent rough sleepers off the streets and into secure homes.

Acting chief executive of Homeless Link, Matt Harrison said there was no getting away from the fact it had been a tough year for the sector.

Thankfully, he said, the charity had not seen the closure of any homeless services under its watch, but there had been a definite "hollowing out" of services.

The reception launched Homeless Link's new campaign, which calls on both individuals and service providers to 'take a step' and end rough sleeping.

New research by Homeless Link reveals that 57 per cent of rough sleepers seek help before they end up on the streets, and it is at that point that intervention needs to happen.

"We all have a role to play in ending rough sleeping," said Harrison.

Jack Dromey MP reiterated this, calling for early intervention to "stop lives collapsing".

Take your step: www.homeless.org.uk/take-a-step