Under the Conservatives, homelessness and rough sleeping was left to double. The Labour Party has committed to never turning our backs on those facing homelessness, and I welcome yesterday’s announcement of a National Plan to End Homelessness. This strategy will tackle homelessness at the root cause, investing in building affordable homes and supporting those most at risk.
Preventing homelessness before it happens is at the heart of this strategy. The Government will build a record 300,000 affordable homes, 180,000 of which will be available for social rent. The strategy also introduces a ‘Duty to Collaborate’, meaning that all public bodies are required to work together effectively to reduce the causes of homelessness. Alongside the passage of the Renters Rights Act, which will abolish ‘no fault’ evictions, and the Child Poverty Strategy, which will lift hundreds of thousands out of poverty, the National Plan to End Homelessness will protect thousands from facing homelessness in the first place.
However, urgent action is needed to tackle the current homelessness crisis. In Manchester alone, it is estimated that over 7,000 people are experiencing homelessness, equivalent to 1 in 74 people.
This Government has committed to halving rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament, backed by £3.5 billion of investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years. As part of this, a new £124 million supported housing scheme has launched to get over 2,500 people across England off the streets, whilst the Ending Homelessness in Communities programme will provide £37 million to the vital services provided by the voluntary, community and faith sector at the frontline of this crisis.
I also welcome the Government’s recognition that homelessness goes beyond rough sleeping and what is most visible. The vast majority of those facing homelessness are living in supported or temporary accommodation, often facing poor and unstable conditions for far too long. The Government will increase the supply of good-quality temporary accommodation through the £950 million fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund, and ensure that social housing is allocated to those who need it most.
I am also glad that action is being taken to reduce the number of households stuck in out of area accommodation, which affects 39% of households living in temporary accommodation in Manchester. The Government will also eliminate the use of unsuitable B&B accommodation, which has left some families living in one room, without access to cooking facilities.
Our current levels of homelessness are a moral stain on this country. I am proud to support this Government in their mission to end homelessness, with sustainable, long-term solutions.