Homelessness
Mistakes on homelessness are making matters worse, says Ombudsman
Problems with the way councils are meeting their housing duties are making things worse for homeless people, the Ombudsman found.
£105m cash boost to keep homeless off the streets
Ministers have unveiled a further £105m of funding to help keep rough sleepers off the streets after the pandemic.
Putting right our housing wrongs
COVID-19 has ‘brought the myriad housing disadvantages and social inequalities into stark relief’ – and it’s time to move on to a strategic approach to building our future homes, says Professor Jo Richardson.
Making our rough sleeping project part of the 'new normal'
Somerset West and Taunton Council pulled together with partners to provide both accommodation and a support programme for rough sleepers. A powerful case is being made to government to keep the project going, says Federica Smith-Roberts.
Policing the street population in the context of COVID-19
Dr Arabella Kyprianides and professors Ben Bradford and Clifford Stott examine how the challenges faced by police, local government and partner agencies when policing London’s street population are being addressed.
Slipping through the cracks
CIPFA and Xantura have set up a data partnership to support the local authority fight against COVID-19.The key aim is to find and protect those in immediate need, say Rob Whiteman and Wajid Shafiq.
De-traumatising the sector
Research conducted by Riverside looks at what we need to do to move on from the last decade and create better, more effective homelessness services. John Glenton explains
Ending homelessness among our veterans
Ed Tytherleigh asks what councils can do to improve support and housing for ex-Service personnel, who make up 3% of the street homeless population
Plan to build 6,000 new homes to 'end rough sleeping'
The Government has pledged to provide long-term homes for those people taken off the streets during the pandemic.
‘Golden opportunity’ to end rough sleeping
The Government has been urged to commit £100m to councils in a bid to end rough sleeping in England.
Scots charities launch bid to end rough sleeping
A coalition of Scots charities will today present plans their plans to end rough sleeping to the Scottish Government.
Homeless will not be turfed out, says Casey
Reports the Government is planning to let hundreds of rough sleepers return to the streets have been denied by Number 10’s homeless adviser.
DCN: 500,000 at risk of homelessness
Almost 500,000 households are at high risk of becoming homeless as a result of the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, new analysis for the District Councils’ Network (DCN) has revealed.
'We cannot sleepwalk into going back to normal'
After the pandemic, 'our plans must include how we keep hold of some of the brilliant things we have done over the last month', says Tracie Langley.
Councils have supported 90% of rough sleepers during pandemic
Councils have offered accommodation to 90% of known rough sleepers to keep them safe during the pandemic, the Government has confirmed.
Mend the UK’s broken land laws to fix housing
Tony Murrell says many believe it’s time for legislation requiring landowners and developers to share the planning uplift windfall they get 50-50 with councils. But is the Government prepared to deliver this radical change?
Is it too early to discuss the exit strategy and local recovery plans?
Blair Mcpherson says that for the COVID-19 recovery plan to be successful politicians will need to look again at the balance between local government and central government – and digging out the Lyons report might be a good starting point.
Safeguarding Bristol’s rough sleepers during the pandemic
Marvin Rees says Bristol City Council has successfully placed the majority of rough sleepers in hotels and all shelter occupants are in alternative accommodation, while negotiations continue with hotel chains for a further supply of rooms.
Lloyd hails rough sleeping drive
Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive, Mark Lloyd, has hailed councils’ efforts to get all rough sleepers off the streets amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Recognition for the work of our unspoken heroes
The lack of PPE for frontline care staff is utterly shameful, says Heather Jameson, but not the most shameful thing highlighted during the pandemic. The attacks on key council staff risking their own health to help others are disgraceful, she adds.
