National cross-government strategy remains key to ending homelessness

13 Sep 2017 12:25 PM

"Homelessness can only be addressed by a clear, well-resourced prevention programme, and by a cross-government strategy that addresses the supply of affordable housing"

Responding to the new report on Homelessness from the National Audit Office (NAO), Jacqui McCluskey, Director of Policy and Communications at Homeless Link, said: "This report sets out clearly the key drivers that have resulted in an increase in homelessness of 134% since 2010 and a 60% increase of households in temporary accommodation.

“The report is clear about the impact of welfare reform on the increase in homelessness and we support the NAO’s call for Government to better understand this impact. What is clear is that the freezing and capping of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) has led to a rise in homelessness and we urge the Government to urgently review the levels of LHA. Homeless Link strongly supports the recommendations of the report and in particular, we support the call for Government to publish a cross-government strategy on preventing and ending homelessness.

"Homelessness can only be addressed by a clear, well-resourced prevention programme, and by a cross-government strategy that addresses the supply of affordable housing and takes into account the role of the unregulated private rental sector, welfare reform and the root causes of homelessness, which are often linked to multiple needs such as mental health and substance use. Homeless Link and our members, offer our support to the Government in developing a long term strategy to end homelessness together."

Please click on the following link to read the full report from the NAO.