Menu
13/12/2004
Funding package announced to tackle homelessness
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, has announced a £150m funding package for new action to prevent and reduce homelessness.
An extra £90 million will be targeted at improving the condition of hostel accommodation and the services they provide, to help rough sleepers make a permanent move away from the streets.
A further £60 million will be allocated to local authorities and voluntary sector agencies over 2005 to 2006, to deliver "front line services" to reduce homelessness. This includes drug rehabilitation treatment, mediation to resolve family and relationship problems and support for women experiencing domestic violence.
Statistics released today show these initiatives are beginning to work, with the number of new homeless cases falling by 11% during 2004 in comparison with the same period last year.
Mr Prescott said that the government was committed to reducing the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation, which have risen to 100,810, with more than 80% of these households living in good quality self-contained homes.
An extra 10,000 social homes a year by 2008 were announced in the Spending Review in July - bringing the total of new social homes to more than 75,000 over the next three years.
Mr Prescott said "good progress" had been made in reducing the most damaging forms of homelessness.
He said: "We have ended the scandal of homeless families living long-term in bed and breakfast hotels, and reduced rough sleeping by more than 70 per cent… We are determined to take action to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation. Today's £150 million funding package will help by preventing homelessness in the first place. This is backed up with sustained investment to improve the supply of social homes."
Welcoming the funding package, Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said: "Hostels provide vital support to homeless people who have high levels of need. We welcome this major investment in the hostel environment, where crucial work takes place.
"This funding will make a real difference, and enable hostels to offer a wider range of services which are better focused on the needs of the individual."
(SP/MB)
An extra £90 million will be targeted at improving the condition of hostel accommodation and the services they provide, to help rough sleepers make a permanent move away from the streets.
A further £60 million will be allocated to local authorities and voluntary sector agencies over 2005 to 2006, to deliver "front line services" to reduce homelessness. This includes drug rehabilitation treatment, mediation to resolve family and relationship problems and support for women experiencing domestic violence.
Statistics released today show these initiatives are beginning to work, with the number of new homeless cases falling by 11% during 2004 in comparison with the same period last year.
Mr Prescott said that the government was committed to reducing the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation, which have risen to 100,810, with more than 80% of these households living in good quality self-contained homes.
An extra 10,000 social homes a year by 2008 were announced in the Spending Review in July - bringing the total of new social homes to more than 75,000 over the next three years.
Mr Prescott said "good progress" had been made in reducing the most damaging forms of homelessness.
He said: "We have ended the scandal of homeless families living long-term in bed and breakfast hotels, and reduced rough sleeping by more than 70 per cent… We are determined to take action to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation. Today's £150 million funding package will help by preventing homelessness in the first place. This is backed up with sustained investment to improve the supply of social homes."
Welcoming the funding package, Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said: "Hostels provide vital support to homeless people who have high levels of need. We welcome this major investment in the hostel environment, where crucial work takes place.
"This funding will make a real difference, and enable hostels to offer a wider range of services which are better focused on the needs of the individual."
(SP/MB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 December 2003
£60m funding earmarked to reduce homelessness
Local authorities and voluntary organisations across the country will receive a share of £60 million in 2004/05 to support them in "tackling homelessness more effectively", homelessness Minister Jeff Rooker announced today.
£60m funding earmarked to reduce homelessness
Local authorities and voluntary organisations across the country will receive a share of £60 million in 2004/05 to support them in "tackling homelessness more effectively", homelessness Minister Jeff Rooker announced today.
17 June 2003
Homelessness in England on the rise
Statistics released today revealed that the number of households in accommodation but registered as homeless has risen by nearly 6,000 in the first quarter of this year.
Homelessness in England on the rise
Statistics released today revealed that the number of households in accommodation but registered as homeless has risen by nearly 6,000 in the first quarter of this year.
12 September 2005
Number sleeping rough at record low
The number of people sleeping rough on streets in England has fallen to a record low, according to figures released today. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced that the figures for 2005 revealed a 75% reduction in the number of people sleeping rough in England since 1998, from 1,850 to 459.
Number sleeping rough at record low
The number of people sleeping rough on streets in England has fallen to a record low, according to figures released today. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced that the figures for 2005 revealed a 75% reduction in the number of people sleeping rough in England since 1998, from 1,850 to 459.
12 December 2008
Homelessness Numbers Down By 60%
National statistics released yesterday show that the number of households accepted as homeless has been cut by 60% since 2003. The figures show that 14,340 households were accepted as homeless by local authorities between July to September 2008 - a 13% reduction compared to the same quarter last year.
Homelessness Numbers Down By 60%
National statistics released yesterday show that the number of households accepted as homeless has been cut by 60% since 2003. The figures show that 14,340 households were accepted as homeless by local authorities between July to September 2008 - a 13% reduction compared to the same quarter last year.
02 May 2006
Police continue to question man over body in suitcase
Police are continuing to question a 26-year-old man in connection with the discovery of the body of a teenage girl in a suitcase in Kent. The body of 17-year-old Terry Edmonds was discovered in the suitcase, which was found in a car park in Tunbridge Wells, Kent on Saturday. A post-mortem revealed that she died from asphyxiation.
Police continue to question man over body in suitcase
Police are continuing to question a 26-year-old man in connection with the discovery of the body of a teenage girl in a suitcase in Kent. The body of 17-year-old Terry Edmonds was discovered in the suitcase, which was found in a car park in Tunbridge Wells, Kent on Saturday. A post-mortem revealed that she died from asphyxiation.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
