“Councils have done an incredible job getting people sleeping rough off the streets and have accommodated more than 29,000 people who have faced homelessness since the start of the coronavirus pandemic."
Responding to the additional funding announced by the Chancellor in the Spending Review to support those at risk of rough sleeping and homelessness, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said:
“Councils have done an incredible job getting people sleeping rough off the streets and have accommodated more than 29,000 people who have faced homelessness since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is good the Government has recognised this with additional funding today, which will help councils to continue their ongoing efforts to support people at risk of rough sleeping and homelessness.
“As we fight a second wave of coronavirus, we would also urge the Government to temporarily remove the No Recourse to Public Funds condition, which would reduce public health risks and ease the pressure on homelessness services by enabling vulnerable people to access welfare benefits, who are currently unable to do so because of their immigration status.
“In the longer-term, it is also important that there is a shift towards investing in homelessness prevention services. With council housing waiting lists set to potentially nearly double as a result of COVID-19, we are calling for councils to be given powers to kickstart a post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 new social homes for rent each year, including reform of Right to Buy.”