Sheffield Mayor calls on Government to seize opportunity to end rough sleeping

According to official figures, during the covid-19 crisis more than 5,000 rough sleepers have been offered emergency accommodation, including in hotels.

The ‘Everyone In’ policy was rolled out at the beginning of the Government-imposed coronavirus ‘lockdown' to protect the lives of those living on the streets.

However, ministers have so far failed to commit to continuing the policy to allow these rough sleepers to be helped into longer-term accommodation.

Today’s statement says government inaction ‘could see rough sleepers ending up back on the streets’ and has called for ‘certainty over the future funding arrangements’.

As well as Dan Jarvis and Keir Starmer, it is signed by the Shadow Housing Minister Thangam Debbonaire and the Mayors of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, London and North Tyne.

It says: “Coronavirus is the biggest crisis our country has faced for a generation. But it has also presented us with a once in a generation opportunity: to help thousands of rough sleepers off the streets for good.

“Thanks to the incredible work of local government, and dedicated funding from central Government, that opportunity is within our grasp.

“The Government has rightly committed to protecting vulnerable rough sleepers for the duration of the pandemic. However, the dedicated funding to house rough sleepers is set to run out and no clear plans or resources have been put in place by Government for what happens next.

“The Government needs to provide clarity on their 'Everyone In' policy, to include those made homeless during the lockdown, and certainty over the future funding arrangements.

“Without this we could see rough sleepers ending up back on the streets. We also need to see policy changes for those with no recourse to public funds, and changes to Local Housing Allowance and Housing Benefit.

“These changes will help us move rough sleepers into longer-term accommodation and provide wrap-around support to help them stay there.”