Government failing to tackle homelessness - Zöe Franklin

Guildford's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Zöe Franklin has spoken out today in response to national newspaper stories on the Governments 'unacceptably complacent' attitude towards tackling homelessness.

"Over the past few weeks I've observed as I've been out and about in Guildford that there appear to be more people who are homeless visible on our streets. I know from my time on Guildford Borough Council that council officers do an incredible job trying to ensure that as many as possible get the support they need to keep them safe and off the streets. However, the reality is that we are seeing increasing numbers of homelessness applications in Guildford and across Surrey.

Government benefit cuts and sanctions, plus the changes related to universal credit are all contributing to this resulting in even those who are working finding themselves on the streets or in temporary accommodation.

We also have the issue that while official figures show a certain level of homelessness this is based on a very narrow set of criteria which simply masks the real numbers."

This week's report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reveals that more than 9,000 people are sleeping rough on the streets of England at any one time - up 134 per cent since 2011. Over 79,000 households, including 120,000 children, are meanwhile homeless and living in temporary accommodation - a rise of 65 per cent since 2010.

The report also backs up the fact that hidden homelessness is a growing issue with the report warning that official figures do not show people who are housed by family and friends in shifting circumstances.

Zöe Franklin continued, "Frankly I find it appalling how the Government allows itself to let down the most vulnerable in our communities again and again. Theresa May and other Government ministers tell us that they care about everyone in society, not just their high earning mates. However, evidence suggests otherwise.

"Rather than taking responsibility for this growing issue - one that should not exist in 21st century Britain - the Government is passing the buck to local authorities. It must finally take action to end homelessness; review the real impact of universal credit and other benefit changes on families and individuals; and ensure truly affordable homes are built rather than the homes desired by developers."

Notes for editors

The Liberal Democrat 2017 manifesto set out the following plans to help tackle homelessness and meet the changing housing needs of our society:

1) Directly build homes to fill the gap left by the market, to reach our house-building target of 300,000 homes a year, through a government commissioning programme to build homes for sale and rent. We will ensure that half a million affordable, energy-efficient homes are built by the end of the Parliament

2) Lift the borrowing cap on local authorities and increase the borrowing capacity of Housing Associations so that they can build council and social housing

3) Introduce a Housing First provider in each local authority

4) Put long-term homeless people straight into independent homes rather than emergency shelters

5) Increasing funding for local councils for homelessness prevention

6) Reinstate housing benefit for under-21s

7) Reverse planned cuts to Local Housing Allowance rates