Hertfordshire charity warns ending rough sleeping will be a "significant challenge"
Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to 'end rough sleeping' in his first speech
A homeless charity in Hertfordshire has said rough sleeping won't be ended unless the Government tackles the root causes of homelessness and helps provide wraparound support.
The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham yesterday vowed to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity in his first speech.
There will be an additional £340 million from day one – taking overall funding to record levels - according to 10 Downing Street.
Wendy Lewington, Chief Executive of DENS charity in Hemel Hempstead is welcoming the announcement but says it will be a “significant challenge".
Ms Lewington says there has “most definitely been an increase” in people rough sleeping because they can find themselves becoming homeless quite quickly and have nowhere else to stay.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "People who have experienced rough sleeping will have a number of other issues, such as drug and alcohol issues and mental health issues.
“So, unless you tackle the range of issues facing the person, you're really just putting a band-aid on the issue.”
Ms Lewington added: "Accommodation and suitable homes are absolutely fundamental, but it's not enough on its own.
“You've got to provide the wraparound support to ensure that person actually stays off the streets and can really turn their lives around.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible. I’m not having that.
"This is something a government can fix if it chooses to. Today, I’m choosing to.”
"We’ll get to work immediately, bringing together national and local government with the investment needed to get it done”, he adds.