Charity welcomes Government plan to tackle homelessness but also raises questions
Alabaré has seen a 12.3% increase in demand in 2024/25
A Wiltshire homelessness charity says it is welcoming the Government's pledge to tackle homelessness and youth unemployment.
Earlier this week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced at the Labour Party Conference 2025 that every unemployed young person will be offered a guaranteed paid work placement.
At the same event, Housing Secretary Steve Reed promised that Labour will be spending £1bn on putting roofs over the country's most vulnerable children's heads.
Vanessa Bedford, Care and Support Director at Alabaré, said: “It’s absolutely great. But we need to ask how is this money going to be shared out across the nation?
“Because it's always a national thing and what's that going to look like? If it's coming down to local government, what is that going to look like at a local level?”
In his speech on Monday (29 September), Mr Reed described homelessness as a ‘scandal’ and a ‘moral stain’ on society, stating that rough sleeping in the UK had doubled under the previous Conservative Government.
The £1bn are set to help local authorities act more quickly to prevent homelessness.
Andrew Lord, Alabaré Chief Executive, added: “The commitment from the Government to tackle homelessness, by announcing additional funding, is much needed as the number of people living in temporary accommodation reaches a record high, and rough sleeping is on the increase.
“We’d be keen to support local authorities with distributing that funding where the need is greatest, and where the most positive changes can be delivered. Our charity has 35 years of experience in helping homeless people towards fulfilling and independent lives across the South West of England and Wales.
“We understand the challenges, and while providing additional affordable housing would be one piece of the puzzle, Alabaré would also like to see the Government’s homelessness strategy reflecting the ongoing support that’s required to break the cycle.”
Guaranteed work placements
In another announcement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised guaranteed paid work placements for young people who have been out of work for at least 18 months.
While Alabaré welcomes this plan, the charity also says that it needs to be approached carefully in order to be successful – especially considering the effects of Covid.
“You know what it's like if you've been on a three-week holiday – it's really hard to get back into work. Some of these guys were out of a classroom setting for six to 12 months and so therefore for them to go into a job around people is going to be much harder for them.
“So yes, this is great, but we need to look at individuals. Some young people are not going to want person-facing work. Some people are going to be quite happy in an office. Some people are going to be better off in a warehouse.
“It has to be managed really, really well, so that we're not setting people to fail when we move people on to their own property”, explained Ms Bedford.
“Individual needs need to be considered, otherwise they are going to end up back in our supported housing when in ten years’ time because their experience of the workplace hasn't worked for them.”