A major new drive to end rough sleeping by 2012 was announced by the Government today.
Rough sleeping numbers have been driven down over the last decade and have stayed down due to concerted efforts across Government, the voluntary sector and community action, but the Government is calling on everyone to go even further and help end rough sleeping for good.
Ministers today said that it is not acceptable for people still to be sleeping rough in the 21st century and announced a new action plan developed with leading homelessness charities to prevent rough sleeping, and to support those already there to rebuild their lives away from the streets.The plan is backed by an allocation of £200 million, and includes new measures such as:
• increasing the options available to single people at risk of rough sleeping including help with deposits for renting a home and more supported lodgings
• expanding street rescue support teams run by charities and encouraging greater use of a 24 hour phone line for members of the public to get help to rough sleepers they are concerned about
• working with those on the streets and those coming off to put together personal achievable action plans, to help them back into housing and employment
• charities, businesses and Government will work more closely in new and innovative ways to help rough sleepers off the street and into employment
Homelessness Minister Iain Wright said, “When we walk down a street and see a figure in a sleeping bag huddled in a doorway, it reminds us there is more to do. I know it can be done and working together we shall achieve our goal. We can all do our bit, and whether we get involved on the ground or simply show more compassion for those in need, we can look back on rough sleeping as something that used to happen, not something that does happen.”
“I know these are tough times and that this is a tough challenge but it’s easy to say something can’t be done, let’s show what can be done.”
The latest street count figures indicate 483 rough sleepers across the country on any given night, a sustained reduction of two thirds from its base line figure of 1850 in 1997, but the Minister will say this is not enough.
The New Action Plan has been developed with leading rough sleeping charities and will use action, advice and assistance across England to prevent the flow of people onto the streets, as well as support those already there to get off the streets into stability.
