Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rough Sleeping 2021-07-19 (2)

Monday 19 July 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is leading a cross-Government effort to eliminate rough sleeping by the end of the current Parliament.
  • The Department is spending 750 million over the next year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
  • Southend has achieved a nearly 90% reduction in rough sleeping levels since November 2017, exceeding the national average.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Amess Con
Housing
Context

The question arises from a broader issue of increasing homelessness and the visible presence of rough sleepers in communities, prompting MPs to seek concrete actions.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of rough sleepers. The concern stems from rising levels of homelessness and the public visibility of rough sleeping, requiring specific measures from the government department responsible for this issue.

Answer from Eddie Hughes

I am proud that my Department is leading a cross-Government drive to eliminate rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament. We are spending £750 million over the next year to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including the largest ever investment in long-term move-on accommodation, with 6,000 homes pledged in this Parliament. Recent data shows that rough sleeping has fallen by 43% under this Administration, with a 37% fall in the last year alone.

Answered
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Q2 David Amess Con
Housing
Context

The question is prompted by the significant local achievements in Southend, where rough sleeping has been reduced by nearly 90% since November 2017, surpassing national figures. This success highlights the effective work of local organisations like HARP and Off the Streets.

Question

Southend has achieved a remarkable reduction in rough sleeping levels by nearly 90% since November 2017, exceeding the national average. Local organisations such as HARP and Off the Streets have made substantial contributions under challenging conditions. The question seeks continued support for these local charities and their ongoing efforts.

Answer from Eddie Hughes

I am delighted to commend my hon. Friend and the local teams and providers who have worked incredibly hard in Southend to achieve the figures described, with a fall of nearly 90% since November 2017. They continue to work towards seeing an end to rough sleeping in their area, supported by organisations such as HARP and Off the Streets which have redoubled efforts during the pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for continued governmental support was not addressed with concrete commitments or actions.

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