In response to the Prime Minister’s announcement today of a £100 million nationwide fund, which will go towards ending rough sleeping, Labour’s London Assembly Spokesperson for Housing, Tom Copley AM, said:
“The money announced today will be used to try to fire fight the dreadful and predictable consequences of the government’s welfare cuts, which have been the one of the drivers of rising homelessness.
“£100 million of funding spread thinly nationwide over the next ten years is clearly insufficient when the Mayor of London has recently calculated that £574 million is needed, in London alone, over the next five years to get to grips with rough sleeping.
“It is imperative that they tackle the root causes of homelessness by reversing the pernicious cuts that they have handed down to already cash-strapped local authorities, and their disastrous welfare reforms, such as the roll-out of universal credit.
“There is also the pressing issue of hidden homelessness, with thousands stuck in temporary accommodation in London. If the government are serious about turning this increasingly desperate situation around, they need to start adequately investing in the genuinely affordable homes that Londoners need.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
-The National Audit Office has reported that changes to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) have contributed to rising homelessness;
-As part of his new Rough Sleeping Plan of Action, the Mayor of London has called for £574 million of funding for London alone over the next five years;
-Tom Copley AM is a Londonwide Assembly Member.