{"id":65134,"date":"2015-12-08T11:02:06","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T11:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=3dff2ff58bc9fc4bf55108abfc47a20e"},"modified":"2015-12-08T11:02:06","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T11:02:06","slug":"speech-stem-the-tide-of-homelessness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=65134","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Stem the tide of homelessness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I was delighted to accept Rick\u2019s invitation to speak today, following on from the Under one Roof conference in July, to reaffirm the government\u2019s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society. <\/p>\n

And let me tell you, the past 6 months have been a real eye opener. <\/p>\n

I have been to Hammersmith and Fulham, Peckham, Devon, Cornwall and Warwickshire to see first hand the fantastic work that you do to support people to take their first steps out of homelessness and into independence.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had the opportunity to sit down with Rick Henderson, Jeremy Swain from Thames Reach, Howard Sinclair from St Mungo\u2019s Broadway, Jean Templeton at St Basil\u2019s and Stephen Bell from Changing Lives to name but a few. And straight after this, I\u2019ll be heading off to see Crisis\u2019s London Skylight Centre. <\/p>\n

Next year, I am determined to get out and about even more, and will be going on my very first outreach shift in London.<\/p>\n

So I want to start by telling you that all the tireless work that you do to support some of the most vulnerable in society hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed. Never lose that passion and energy. You make a genuine difference to the people that you work with. And for those that are living on the streets, you are a real life saver.<\/p>\n

Over the last Parliament, we have made great strides in ensuring that homeless people have the right support that they need to get back on their feet. Through the central investment that government has made to support local areas to tackle and prevent homelessness, we have delivered a lot together. <\/p>\n

Our \u00a38 million Help for Single Homeless Fund<\/a> has allowed 168 local authorities to partner up together to help some of the hardest to reach individuals. These projects are offering support to help people turn their lives around and find a long term solution that supports their needs. <\/p>\n

Our Access to the Private Rented Sector programme<\/a>, which we have funded Crisis to run, has helped over 9,000 people access and sustain privately rented accommodation. This isn\u2019t just about putting a roof over someone\u2019s head, but ensuring that they get the support they need to rebuild their lives. <\/p>\n

The pioneering StreetLink<\/a> service, which we have funded, has lead to nearly 15,500 rough sleepers being found and connected with local services. The service is making it easier for the public to help someone that\u2019s sleeping rough. Not with a cash handout, but with the valuable alternative of practical support. <\/p>\n

We have pioneered 2 of the world\u2019s first Social Impact Bonds in homelessness \u2013 the Fair Chance Fund<\/a> for young people, and the Social Impact Bond for the entrenched rough sleepers in London.<\/p>\n

And I have seen first hand the work of the No Second Night Out<\/a> hubs in London, which have successfully helped over 4,000 people exit rough sleeping. More widely, the Homelessness Transition Fund<\/a> has helped people find stable homes and jobs to get their lives back on track. <\/p>\n

However, I am not complacent and I recognise that there are some significant challenges that remain. <\/p>\n

When I last stood in front of you in July, I announced that I wanted to draw on your experience and expertise to improve the impact of homelessness services. So I have started a series of conversations with you and local commissioners on how we continue to deliver the best for this vulnerable group of people in a tougher financial climate. <\/p>\n

The messages that I have heard so far about the challenges that you face have been loud and clear. <\/p>\n

You have said that you find the funding environment challenging. <\/p>\n

You have reinforced that homelessness isn\u2019t just a housing issue, and that other local partners such as health, probation and Job Centres need to play their part in helping people access the services that they need to get back on their feet.<\/p>\n

You have expressed concern about vulnerable individuals with complex needs falling through the safety net because opportunities to prevent treatable problems are missed.<\/p>\n

I cannot solve these overnight, but what I can say is that I \u2013 and the government \u2013 are listening to what you say and are ready to rise to the challenge. <\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, the Chancellor presented the outcome of the Spending Review<\/a> to Parliament. His speech set out a long-term economic plan to rebuild Britain, whilst reforming public services and devolving more power than ever before. He was also clear that there had been difficult decisions to take to live within our means and bring down our debt. Yet, we have recognised and listened to the pressures that you are telling us that you are facing.<\/p>\n

In the last Parliament, we made \u00a3109 million available to local areas on top of Homelessness Prevention Grant. This investment meant that we could roll out No Second Night Out nationally through the Homelessness Transition Fund. It also allowed us to invest in StreetLink; the Fair Chance Fund; Help for Single Homeless; and the Access to the Private Rented Sector Scheme.<\/p>\n

So in this Spending Review, we have chosen to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society.<\/p>\n

Whilst my department has reduced its overall resource budget by nearly 30%, we have taken the decision to increase the dedicated central funding that we provide to local areas to tackle homelessness. <\/p>\n

Over the next 4 years, we will increase central funding by making \u00a3139 million available for innovative programmes to prevent and reduce homelessness. In addition:<\/p>\n