Cambridge charity urges ministers to take 'frontline' approach to homelessness
A think tank has warned homelessness in England could rise by 25%
A charity in Cambridgeshire believes ministers are taking an "out of sight, out of mind" approach when it comes to tackling homelessness.
It comes as the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has warned homelessness in England could rise by 25% if action from the Government isn't taken.
"They're making decisions based on an experience they've never had," Matt Wiseman, housing team leader at Jimmy's Cambridge, said.
"They need to come to the frontline and speak to people like myself who work in homelessness services to find out what it's like.
"It's more 'out of sight, out of mind'; it doesn't affect them too much."
Reusing empty homes
In its report, the IPPR wants the Government to roll out a national programme to provide access to shelter and support for those who are sleeping rough or imminently at risk.
The think tank also wants support for councils to bring long-term empty homes back into use in a bid to increase housing numbers and reduce reliance on what it says 'expensive and poor-quality accommodation.'
Jimmy's Cambridge manages 47 homes which they use to house rough sleepers in the city, caring for between 75 and 100 people each year.
"I think the work needs to start before people become homeless; mental health and substance misuse services continue to be cut to the bone," Matt said.
"The reality is we are getting individuals coming into our assessment centre that are absolutely rock bottom."
Homelessness has become 'unmanageable'
The report by IPPR warns that the current system is failing people amid a housing crisis, fuelled by rising living costs and increasingly unaffordable rents.
It also estimates an extra 50,000 people could end up being homeless or living rough without any measures taken.
As well as reusing empty homes, IPPR also wants mayors to use 'strategic planning powers' to set 'ambitious targets for social housing, on top of new duties for registered providers to work with councils to house people experiencing homelessness.
Matt believes the issue of homelessness across the country has become "unmanageable" and wants to see a united approach between charities, organisations and decision-makers.
"We have let homelessness become unmanageable to a point where we haven't built enough homes; there isn't enough social housing," he added.
"We have found potentially when landlords find out the residents applying for privately-rented homes are from Jimmy's, there can be a stigma attached to that because of the stigma attached to homelessness, plus private rent in Cambridge is extremely expensive."
What's the Government doing about this?
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said it's investing more than £50 million from this year to 2029 as part of the Long-Term Rough Sleeping Innovation Programme and Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund to make sure less people become homeless or sleep rough.
It also promised every region in England will get funding to deliver frontline services to tackle homelessness.
“We’re investing £3.6 billion to end homelessness for good by providing more supported housing, stopping the unlawful use of B&Bs for families, and halving long term rough sleeping," a MHCLG spokesperson said.
“More broadly, we’re building the homes communities need by investing £39bn in more social and affordable housing, giving councils stronger powers to bring empty homes back into use, and we have abolished no-fault evictions for renters.”
The MHCLG said tenants will get more security through abolishing 'no fault' evictions, while giving more control to local councils over the management of empty homes.