Ministers Seek to Eradicate Rough Sleeping
The government have set out a range of new ideas to tackle homelessness.Publishing their updated rough sleeping strategy on Tuesday, ministers outlined new initiatives including a new 24-hour helpline, expanding street rescue support teams and more help with rental deposits.
The £200m package has been designed to reach the target of eradicating rough sleeping in England by 2012.
In 1997 Tony Blair promised to get the number of people sleeping on the street as close as possible to zero but while the official headcount has fallen from 1,850 since then, it has stalled at around the 500 mark.
And some campaigners are predicting that the number could increase in the coming months as housing repossessions rise.
Communities minister Iain Wright said that members of the public could play a part by calling the new telephone line to report sightings of rough sleepers.
"I know these are tough times and that this is a tough challenge but it's easy to say something can't be done, let's show what can be done," he said.
"When we walk down a street and see a figure in a sleeping bag huddled in a doorway, it reminds us there is more to do. I know it can be done and working together we shall achieve our goal.
"We can all do our bit, and whether we get involved on the ground or simply show more compassion for those in need, we can look back on rough sleeping as something that used to happen, not something that does happen."
Housing minister Margaret Beckett added that: "We have achieved much in tackling rough sleeping and homelessness over the last 10 years, but it's time for us all to say rough sleeping in 21st century Britain is unacceptable.
"This strategy is not just about getting someone a bed for the night, it's also about preventing rough sleeping in the first place, recognising the needs of each individual and offering them genuine opportunities and support to get their lives back on track."
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