Labour’s Cabinet member for Housing on Newcastle City Council, Cllr Paula Maines, has today pledged to work with ministers in the battle to halve rough sleeping by the end of the parliament – as the Labour Government unveils its bold new strategy to end homelessness – backed by £3.5 billion of investment over the next 3 years – including around an extra £23,865,040 for the North East of England.
The Plan has three key pledges to be achieved by the end of this parliament – to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers, end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families and prevent more households from becoming homeless in the first place
It will be underpinned by clear, ambitious goals for lasting change, including a duty on public services to work together to prevent homelessness, a boost to the supply of good-quality temporary homes, and £3.5 billion – a £1 billion funding boost over and above previous commitments – to support rough sleeping and support services.
Launching Labour’s Plan to End Homelessness, Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:
“Homelessness is one of the most profound challenges we face as a society, because at the heart, it’s about people. Families deserve stability, children need a safe place to grow, and individuals simply want the dignity of a home.
“This strategy is shaped by the voices of those who’ve lived through homelessness and the frontline workers who fight tirelessly to prevent it.
“Through our new strategy we can build a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated. With record investment, new duties on public services, and a relentless focus on accountability, we will turn ambition into reality.”
Welcoming the Plan, Newcastle Labour’s Cllr Paula Maines said:
“This Labour Government and our Labour council are united in our fight to wipe out homelessness and rough sleeping. No family should be forced long-term into temporary accommodation, no one should be forced to live on the streets.
“Here in Newcastle we are are looking at launching our updated Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Strategy in the new year. This will include data collected on Women and Hidden Homelessness from partnership work with Shelter which will ensure we put in place services that meet this hidden need.
“Homelessness doubled under the Conservatives, but Labour is fighting back with a national plan to halve rough sleeping, stop families falling into temporary accommodation and end the unlawful use of B&B accommodation for vulnerable families all over the country.
“That’s the Labour difference. That’s a Labour government putting values into action and changing this country for the better. Change will take time, but change has begun.”