In a significant move to address the growing homelessness crisis in England, Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, has announced a nearly £1 billion funding boost for local councils to help combat homelessness in 2024. The funding, which Rayner described as the “largest-ever” investment in tackling homelessness, aims to prevent families and individuals from falling into homelessness, support those already facing it, and provide long-term solutions to break the cycle of rising homelessness.
Key Details of the Funding Announcement
- Total Funding: Nearly £1 billion in 2024
- Homelessness Prevention Grant: Over £633 million, a £192 million increase from the previous year
- Support for Local Councils: Councils will receive funding to help prevent households from becoming homeless, including initiatives such as mediation with landlords to avoid evictions.
- Priority Services: The funding will also support services that provide access to permanent social housing, especially for those with a history of repeat homelessness or substance abuse.
Urgency in Addressing Homelessness
The announcement follows alarming statistics showing that homelessness in England is at record levels. According to the latest figures:
- 123,100 households were living in temporary accommodation between April and June 2024, marking an increase of 16.3% compared to the previous year.
- Over 159,000 children were living in temporary accommodation during the same period.
- The use of B&Bs and nightly-let accommodation has doubled in the last three years, with 40% of homeless families currently in such accommodation.
Rayner expressed her determination to “break the cycle of spiraling homelessness” and highlighted that 160,000 children are facing the prospect of spending Christmas without a stable home due to failures in the system. She emphasized the urgency of reversing this trend, adding that the £1 billion investment would be a turning point in the fight against homelessness.
Long-Term Strategy to End Homelessness
In addition to the immediate funding, Rayner committed to developing a cross-government strategy to tackle homelessness in the long run. This strategy will involve coordinated action across various departments, focusing on both immediate relief and sustainable solutions. The aim is to end homelessness “for good,” with a plan that goes beyond temporary fixes.
Focus on Housing Solutions
Despite the significant investment in prevention and support services, housing charity Shelter has pointed out that the root cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. Shelter stated that to effectively tackle homelessness, the government must commit to building 90,000 homes per year for the next decade. The charity’s chief executive, Polly Neate, emphasized that “you cannot solve homelessness without homes.”
Labour’s Housing Agenda
The funding boost is part of the Labour government’s broader housing strategy, which includes a commitment to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament. As part of this plan, local councils have been instructed to come up with “immediate, mandatory” housing targets to help meet the national demand.
Rayner’s announcement comes as the government continues to prioritize tackling the housing crisis, with a focus on both immediate interventions for people facing homelessness and long-term housing solutions.
Conclusion
While the £1 billion funding package is a significant step towards addressing the homelessness crisis in England, housing advocates and experts warn that building more affordable homes remains essential. The challenge of homelessness cannot be fully addressed without a concerted effort to provide long-term, affordable housing solutions.