Spare a Thought For the Homeless

For the estimated 8,100 rough sleepers in London today and those around the country.

This is the coldest day so far, hitting the giddy heights of -3C at midday amid further heavy snow showers. Upping the ante further is the arrival today of Storm Emma, bring freezing 40mph gusts of wind that the Met Office says will make it feel like -10C in the capital. And there’s no sign of any thaw before the weekend.

Image: Homlessness in the UK. Figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government

According to Full Fact: These figures don’t include those who were assessed as homeless but not in priority need, or homeless but intentionally so.

There are around 20,000 cases found homeless but not considered in priority need each year, or around one in six of all decisions. Around 9% of cases, or 10,000 households, are homeless and in need but considered to be intentionally so.

If councils decide someone is not in priority need they have to offer advice and help with finding somewhere to live, but not accommodation. If they decide someone is intentionally homeless and in priority need, they only have to provide short-term accommodation.

A new law – the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017— is set to come into force in April this year.

Amongst other things it put new duties on local authorities in England to prevent and relieve homelessness for everyone, including people who don’t count as ‘priority need’.

The government has promised £73 million to local authorities to meet the new requirements. The code of guidance for local authorities is currently being reviewed following a consultation.