New Plan Aims to Tackle Rough Sleeping Crisis in the UK

Rough sleeping in the UK has nearly doubled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting calls for urgent action from government and local authorities. A report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) reveals that councils are spending over £2.3 billion annually on temporary accommodation, exacerbated by rising levels of migration. The CSJ suggests that individuals without the legal right to remain in the UK should be required to leave, stating that this policy is necessary to maintain public trust in the immigration system.

The report highlights a significant increase in rough sleepers from outside the UK, with the numbers more than doubling since 2021. The most common countries of origin for these individuals include Romania, Eritrea, and Poland. The CSJ argues that, where feasible, support should be provided to facilitate their return to their home countries. It emphasizes that those with rejected asylum claims, overstayed visas, or illegal status should also return to their countries of origin.

Housing First Program as a Solution

The CSJ advocates for a bold new approach to addressing homelessness through the Housing First program, which provides permanent accommodation and intensive support from the outset. This initiative has already been successfully piloted in regions such as the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands. The CSJ estimates that if implemented across England, the program could remove 5,571 individuals from the streets by 2029-30, marking a significant step toward ending rough sleeping.

With the program being described as “excellent value for money,” the CSJ asserts that every £1 invested would yield £2 in returns to taxpayers and society. This would be achieved through reduced costs associated with the NHS and the criminal justice system. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, stressed that combating homelessness is both an economic necessity and a moral obligation, highlighting the success of the Housing First model in his region.

The CSJ’s chief executive, Andy Cook, emphasized the opportunity for Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to champion a national rollout of the program. The report suggests that £103 million would be needed over four years to fund a national Housing First initiative. Funding could be sourced by eliminating relocation expenses for civil servants and reducing costs related to moving government departments into regional areas.

Government Response and Future Outlook

“Housing First is not just a successful pilot – it’s a model for reform. We’ve proven it works,”

stated Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region. He called for ambitious measures to establish Housing First as the foundation of a national strategy to eradicate homelessness.

In response to the rising crisis, a spokesperson from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the government is committed to decisive action against homelessness. The ministry is allocating £1 billion for essential homelessness and rough sleeping services, including funding for the Housing First program and other forms of accommodation.

Additionally, the government aims to address the root causes of homelessness by pledging to build 1.5 million new homes and abolish no-fault evictions. These measures are backed by a substantial investment of £39 billion.

As the crisis continues to grow, the proposed strategies may provide a path forward to alleviate the suffering of those experiencing homelessness and promote a more sustainable approach to immigration and social support in the UK.