The Government has promised to deploy all tools at its disposal alongside £2 billion of funding to prevent more people finding themselves without a safe roof over their heads.
‘Ending rough sleeping for good’, the Government’s rough sleeping strategy, also commits to improving access to mental health and drug and alcohol support, as well as acknowledging plans to use a ‘Housing First’ approach nationally.
This involves providing stable homes for rough sleepers and providing intensive support to help them rebuild their lives.
Cllr David Renard, the LGA’s Housing Spokesperson, said: “Better access to mental health and drug and alcohol support for people sleeping rough will give those who are struggling with these additional burdens the support they need to recover, and a cross-government commitment that no-one will leave a public institution – such as a hospital or prison – to the streets is a strong preventative measure that will make a real difference.
“More supported housing and use of the Housing First approach nationally is a positive step, and we are pleased at the focus on investing in the relationships between housing and adult social care for vulnerable people sleeping rough who require supported housing.
“Data is key for councils, and we’re glad to see the rollout of better and more frequent rough sleeping figures, now seen quarterly instead of annually, but more detail is needed on what support there will be for councils to implement this.
“The strategy makes some positive steps towards the ultimate goal of ending rough sleeping, and councils and the LGA look forward to continuing to work with government to develop and implement any new plans.”