None of us likes to see people living and sleeping on our streets. It was estimated in 2017 that on any one given night in England, there were 4,750 people sleeping rough. The reasons behind rough sleeping are complex and each case is a personal tragedy. It is an issue that has always been with us and stopping it completely will be very challenging both for this government and future governments, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make ambitious plans to eliminate it.
Last week the government unveiled a £100 m strategy to tackle rough sleeping on England's streets and to have stopped it completely by 2027. I am under no illusions how difficult this will be but the government are right to prioritise this. The Rough Sleeping Strategy will focus on preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place by offering a range of support.
About £30 million will be spent on mental health help and treatment for substance misuse as part of the proposals, which were developed in conjunction with charities and experts. This will include training for staff on how to help people affected by the illegal drug Spice, which is a drug that has terrible consequences for those who take it. It is estimated that in some cities, that up to 90% of rough sleepers are using it. In addition, the government will put about £50 m towards homes outside London for those who are ready to move on from hostels or refuges. Rough sleepers will also be helped to access services and accommodation by a network of specialist navigators.
Homelessness charities have welcomed the government’s plans and supporting these charities is something we can all do in helping to turn people’s lives around. These charities advise that donating to them is a much better way to help rough sleepers than giving money to people begging, who are often reliant on a begging income to fuel an addition. In Crawley we have an excellent local homelessness charity in Crawley Open House in Three Bridges, who work closely with Crawley Borough Council in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
22nd August 2018