Tackling and Preventing Homelessness – The role of the sector

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By Molly Bishop, Strategic Lead for Homelessness, GMCA

As perfect storms go, we are in the middle of a pretty big one when it comes to tackling homelessness. The compound impacts of lifting protective COVID-19 policies relating to furlough, Universal Credit and Local Housing Allowance, deepening of Local Authorities’ lucky-dip bidding relationship with Central Government, and dare I say it, Brexit, are staking up against low-income households maintaining the essentials of a healthy life with a safe and suitable place to call home.

It is at this pivotal moment that the report of the Sir Bob Kerslake Commission on ‘Everyone In’ lands. It asks what went well through the COVID-19 response to rough sleeping and what we need to next to take the next steps towards ending it. The recommendations are well considered and necessarily broad ranging. They are aimed at Central and Local Government, as well as the wider Homelessness Sector, Housing and Health Providers. It poses big questions for the coming Comprehensive Spending Review and the numerous public service transformations taking place, not least the creation on Integrated Care Systems and Reducing Re-offending reforms. We will hear directly from Sir Kerslake on the findings and essential next steps to continue to progress our work to end rough sleeping at the NHC Annual Northern Homelessness Seminar on Tuesday 5th October.

We will also have the chance to look the best practise for Housing Providers to play their part in tackling and preventing homelessness. David Bogle from Homes for Cathy will be leading a session on the key commitments that bring Housing Providers to the forefront of this work and the successes that have already been seen in his own organisation, Hightown Housing, and beyond.

With homelessness and the risk of homelessness rising, and the gains to reduce rough sleeping looking increasingly shaky, the conversation on the 5th of October is not one to be missed!

Full details of the seminar and to book your place click here.