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LGA responds to CLG Committee publication of report on Homelessness Reduction Bill
Cllr Martin Tett, LGA Housing spokesman, responds to the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee publishing a report on the Homelessness Reduction Bill.
"Councils are doing everything they can to prevent and solve homelessness.
"However, faced with rising demand, wide-ranging welfare reforms and falling social housing, councils are struggling to cope with their existing responsibilities to tackle the nation's growing homelessness crisis.
"Local government wants to be part of a collective national commitment to end homelessness and improve the life chances of those living on the streets or at risk of becoming homeless.
"The Communities and Local Government Committee report acknowledges that councils cannot do this alone and that there is no silver bullet. It is important that any new duties on councils proposed in the Homelessness Reduction Bill are deliverable and fully funded, and focus on addressing the causes of homelessness.
"This needs to include a collective effort from all public services, enabling councils to join up local services – such as housing, welfare, health, justice and skills - to prevent homelessness, address the widening gap between incomes and rents, and to resume their historic role as a major builder of affordable homes."
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