Homelessness
MHCLG churn 'damaging institutional memory'
Whitehall is suffering from ‘collective amnesia’ due to high staff turnover that is wasting millions of pounds, according to a study today from the respected think-tank the Institute for Government (IfG).
Councils 'ripped off' by £1bn bill for temporary housing
Councils spent almost £1bn on temporary accommodation in 2017/18, according to analysis by homeless charity Shelter and the Guardian. This is a rise of 71% in just five years from £584m in 2012/13, with London councils spending the most overall.
Brokenshire lifts funding cap as homeless deaths rocket
Housing secretary James Brokenshire lifted the cap on the cold weather fund on the same day it was revealed homeless deaths soared by a quarter.
Essex councils warn of problems with rehousing London’s homeless
Essex council leaders have written to London council leaders highlighting concerns over homeless people from the capital being rehoused in the county.
Brokenshire announces homelessness hubs
Communities secretary James Brokenshire has announced a network of 11 homelessness ‘hubs’ across England to tackle rough sleeping.
Use of temporary accommodation rockets
The number of households in temporary accommodation has rocketed by 71% over the last eight years, according to the latest Government statistics.
What about that medium term financial strategy?
Any future funding settlement needs to recognise homelessness and problem prevention in some way, says Jill Penn
MJ HOUSING: Finding a place young people can call home
Lewisham LBC is committed to providing 1,000 social homes in the next four years, new council-owned homes for private rent, and more ‘pop-up’ modular developments. It’s a strategy with young people at its heart, says Mayor Damien Egan.
Why it is time for a fair deal for everyone
The system is broken for everyone and we need to stop wasting valuable time and effort arguing with others about who has been hit hardest by austerity, argues vice chair of Core Cities Cllr Jon Collins
London leaders call for 'proper' debate on funding
Central Government needs to have a ‘proper conversation’ on public sector funding and put councils on a sustainable footing for the future, London Councils chair, Cllr Peter John, has told The MJ.
Brokenshire: We need to raise our game and get London building
Housing secretary James Brokenshire has criticised London boroughs after statistics showed a ‘mixed picture’ across the capital in the number of additional homes in 2017/18.
Ending the cycle of homelessness
Chief executive of Craven DC, Paul Shevlin, says councils need more funding and affordable housing to end the cycle of homelessness.
Homelessness advice requests rocket under new law
More than half of district councils have reported an increase in requests for homelessness advice in the first six months since new legislation, a survey has found.
Modular homes offer hope
London's councils are working together to procure modular housing as high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless households. Cllr Darren Rodwell believes it is the first such collaboration in the UK
Healey unveils council tax levy on holiday homes
Labour would double council tax on second homes to help families living in temporary accommodation, shadow housing secretary John Healey is expected to announce later today.
Strength-to-strength
Southwark LBC is making huge strides in reducing homelessness. Its best practice model involves getting to the heart of the reasons people become homeless in the first place and resolving these issues with specialist services. Now its best practice has spread nationally. Cllr Stephanie Cryan explains
Doubts over strategy to end rough sleeping by 2027
New measures aimed at ending rough sleeping within a decade do not go far enough, councils have warned.
Working homeless figures soar
The number of families described as ‘working homeless’ has soared over the past five years, housing charity Shelter has warned.
£30m cash boost to tackle rough sleepers
Communities secretary James Brokenshire has announced a £30m cash boost to tackle rough sleepers in the worst hit parts of the country.
'Opportunities missed' to stop homeless death
Opportunities were missed to provide accommodation for a rough sleeper whose partially decomposed body was discovered in a tent, a review has found.