The UK Government has published its long-awaited National Plan to End Homelessness, setting out a long-term, cross-government strategy to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring in England.
Key goals in the strategy – launched in December and backed by £3.5 billion for homelessness and rough-sleeping services over the next three years – include eliminating the unlawful use of B&B accommodation for families, halving long-term rough sleeping, and placing prevention at the heart of local and national responses.
Councils will be required to publish and regularly update local action plans aligned with national outcomes.
Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, described the plan as “ambitious” with an admirable goal of ending homelessness for good, but stressed that councils need to be sufficiently funded and empowered to deliver its aims effectively.
“Specifically, the Government must make sure there is greater accountability to ensure all stakeholders are involved and incentivised to prevent homelessness, and that these goals can be delivered, foster collaboration between partners, and have evidence-based policy underpinning this,” he added.
“As this strategy acknowledges, local government has a crucial role to play in turning its ambitions into reality.”