LGA responds to BMJ report on homelessness

30 Jan 2018 09:06 AM

Cllr Judith Blake, the Local Government Association’s Housing spokesperson, responded to a report published in the BMJ on the health implications of homelessness

“Homelessness is not just a housing issue, and is intrinsically linked to ill-health. This is especially evident in the numbers of homeless households with a mental health challenge or in elderly people, where we have seen an alarming rise in homelessness.

“If we want to end homelessness then councils need to be given the powers and funding to adapt welfare reforms and begin building affordable homes again.

“The Government needs to use the upcoming final Local Government Finance Settlement to accept the calls of both the LGA and the cross-party Treasury Select Committee, and completely scrap the cap on the amount councils can borrow to invest in new and existing homes.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Homelessness and public health | The BMJ

LGA publication – the impact of homelessness on health