Thank you for contacting me about homelessness and rough sleeping.
To address concerns regarding the former Home Secretary’s remarks; there are no plans to introduce a ban on charities handing out tents to rough sleepers.
It is vital that we strive to end homelessness in South Devon and the UK once and for all. I firmly believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. The Government’s strategy ‘Ending Rough Sleeping For Good’ reiterates the goal that rough sleeping will be prevented wherever possible and where it does occur it will be rare, brief and non-recurring.
At the heart of this strategy is a ‘prevention first’ approach which focuses on preventing people from sleeping rough in the first place. I was encouraged to see the Government set out an ambition for no one to leave a public institution, such as a prison or hospital, homeless. Already, legislation has been passed to reduce numbers of prisoners released on Fridays to help with better access to essential services.
The Government's rough sleeping strategy is backed up by £2 billion worth of investment between 2022-23 and 2024-25. As part of this, the Rough Sleeping Initiative is being expanded to further support people off the street and into longer-term housing-led solutions. Tailored support may include helping individuals find work, manage their finances and access mental and physical health services. The Government is investing over £534 million between 2022 and 2025, empowering local authorities to focus on long-term change. The funding has already helped provide 14,000 beds and 3,000 staff across England.
Rightly, Government funding for different types of accommodation reflects the fact that there is no one size fits all approach to supporting rough sleepers. The new £10 million Night Shelter Transformation Fund will increase the availability of quality single-room provision within the night shelter sector. Meanwhile, investment in longer-term housing solutions includes a new £200 million Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme which will deliver up to 2,400 homes and wrap-around support.
One person without a roof over their head is one too many and I welcome the commitment across government to work towards a future without homelessness.
Homelessness in the Criminal Justice Bill
I understand that police forces and local agencies have asked for more direct tools to respond sensitively, yet firmly, to instances of nuisance begging and rough sleeping that place individuals involved at risk or make the public feel unsafe. It is important to address the fact that begging can cause harm to the individuals involved as well as to wider communities and public spaces. Giving police and local authorities the tools they need will enable them to help more vulnerable individuals off the streets and will open up new ways to direct people to appropriate support, such as accommodation, mental health treatment or substance misuse treatment.
I will ensure my ministerial colleagues are aware of the concerns you have raised with me as the Criminal Justice Bill continues being debated.
