Homelessness
Our invaluable work needs to be better understood by the Government
We need to call on those in power to better understand the invaluable work we do in local government and help us deliver creativity without uncertainty, says Tony Kirkham
By no means fair enough
Tony Kirkham is concerned that the desire to deliver fair funding could end up being something we started but couldn't finish.
Act now to halt the housing crisis
Housing should be seen as a key plank of the natural infrastructure, says housing charity Shelter. Heather Jameson examines its report and expands on its recommendations
Right to Buy can be the right way ahead
In future, Right to Buy can only be the right thing to do if homes are replaced – otherwise it’s just another exercise in driving up property costs and pushing more people into poverty, argues Heather Jameson.
Recycling that makes a difference
Each Christmas Rushcliffe BC collects food and clothes for a local homeless charity - and the waste teams take huge pride in collecting the thousands of items that are picked up at the same time residents put out their wheeled bins, says David Banks
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.