Government bid to end homelessness should not just be "a winter of good intentions" Sheffield charity claim
“This must be the start of a decade of investment”
A Sheffield-based charity has welcomed a Government pledge to tackle homelessness - but says that this support cannot just end at Christmas.
In one of his first announcements as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham said that he would work to give every rough sleeper a pathway off the streets by Christmas, announcing a £442 million package to provide emergency accommodation.
Now, ahead of the Budget on Wednesday (October 28), the PM has said that a further £432 million will go towards this goal and extend support to those sleeping on the streets into the new year.
And while the steps have been celebrated as a way of tackling current homelessness rates, Sheffield charity The Archer Project has raised concerns that there’s no quick fix.
“This must be the start of a decade of investment, not a winter of good intentions,” said Tim Renshaw, CEO at the Sheffield-based homelessness charity.
“Doubling this funding is welcome and shows the Government is serious about undoing years of under-investment in ending homelessness.
“But it is very important that we are honest about how we got here. Today, Britain is grappling with the consequences of the stripping back of prevention work since 2010 – work that made such a difference in the 2000s.
“It is clear that Mr Burnham has three tasks to tackle head-on. First, get everyone sleeping rough a place to stay this winter.
“Second, build the social and affordable homes needed to stop families spending years in temporary accommodation and, third, fund the long-term support that helps people rebuild their lives.
“When this is achieved, everyone benefits, from our businesses and city centres to our health services and communities.”
The Archer Project is based at Sheffield Cathedral and offers support including therapy and medical help to people experiencing homelessness in the city.
On Monday, October 26, the PM hosted the first ever ‘Rough Sleeping Summit’ at Downing Street, where businesses, charities and housing providers met to discuss changes that can be made to tackle the nation’s homelessness crisis.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "Rough sleeping isn’t a fact of life. It’s a thing governments either choose to accept or don’t.
“Well I don’t accept it. That’s why we’re doubling funding so that people aren’t just offered a safe route off the streets this winter but have that same support right through the rest of this Parliament too.
“But we can’t do it alone. If we’re going to end rough sleeping, we need every part of society behind us on this. So today we’re bringing together businesses, charities and local leaders in Downing Street to make sure this is a solution that lasts.”
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss celebrated the new investment, adding: “Ending homelessness is not only a moral imperative, it will make our communities and our country better off.”