{"id":78065,"date":"2017-01-17T14:49:20","date_gmt":"2017-01-17T14:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=83d4318cf55cd5e041b41dd7616ea073"},"modified":"2017-01-17T14:49:20","modified_gmt":"2017-01-17T14:49:20","slug":"press-release-government-backs-homelessness-bill-with-48-million-for-councils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=78065","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Government backs Homelessness Bill with \u00a348 million for councils"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Councils are to receive a further \u00a348 million funding to help them deliver new and expanded services to prevent and reduce homelessness, Local Government Minister Marcus Jones has confirmed.<\/p>\n

This new funding will be available to councils in England to meet the costs of the Homelessness Reduction Private Members\u2019 Bill<\/a>, which if passed by Parliament, will mean anyone at risk of losing their home will get the help they need more quickly.<\/p>\n

Under the Bill, local authorities will be required to help all eligible people \u2013 whether they are single or a family – for 56 days before they are threatened with homelessness. Those who are already homeless will get support for a further 56 days to help them secure accommodation.<\/p>\n

Other services will also be required to refer homeless people or those at risk to local authority housing teams who can provide them with free information and advice services.<\/p>\n

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:<\/p>\n

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I\u2019m committed to preventing homelessness and this new \u00a348 million backing for Bob Blackman\u2019s Homelessness Reduction Bill will allow councils to make real changes in the way they help vulnerable people.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Local Government Minister Marcus Jones said:<\/p>\n

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We\u2019re determined to make sure anyone facing the threat of homelessness gets the support they need.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we\u2019re supporting Bob Blackman\u2019s Homelessness Reduction Bill, which will help strengthen the safety net for people who find themselves at risk of losing their homes.<\/p>\n

Councils asked for extra funds to help bring in the changes and we\u2019ve listened, with an extra \u00a348 million so they can hit the ground running.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Welcoming the funding, Bob Blackman MP said:<\/p>\n

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This funding package is a strong demonstration that the government is serious about helping people at risk of homelessness and I very much welcome this commitment.<\/p>\n

Should my bill succeed, there will inevitably a transitional period as councils begin to manage their new duties and I believe this support will give them the best possible head start to improve outcomes long term.<\/p>\n

I pay tribute to the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, and Local Government Minister Marcus Jones, for the serious and responsible way they have embraced my Homelessness Reduction Bill and worked with myself and others to ensure it has the best possible chance of success.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Homelessness prevention<\/h2>\n

This latest support is part of wider range of measures this government has taken to support people at risk of homelessness. These measures include:<\/p>\n