Crisis calls £50m DCLG homelessness investment 'money well spent'

Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, has welcomed a £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund from Communities and Local Government for local areas to prevent and reduce homelessness.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “This £50 million is money well spent. Preventing homelessness in the first place, or giving people a quick and sustainable route out doesn’t just save them from the horrors of homelessness – it saves the public purse money in the long run as well.

“Local councils now have the resource to be creative and ambitious in tackling homelessness in their area. I hope they will take up the challenge, and Crisis stands ready to work with them to advise and share best practice.

“I hope that this programme will be backed up by a change in the law to make sure everyone who is homeless is entitled to help. That's why we're also calling on government to continue supporting Bob Blackman MP's Homelessness Reduction Bill as it passes through parliament. The Bill is a major opportunity to improve the rights of people currently shut out of the system, whist continuing to protect families with children from homelessness.”

ENDS

For further information or for spokesperson interviews call 020 7426 3880 or email media@crisis.org.uk. For out of hours media enquiries please call: 07973 372587

Notes to editors

The Mayor’s announcement

Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. Our purpose is to end homelessness.

Homelessness is devastating, leaving people vulnerable and isolated. We believe everyone deserves a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilled and active life.

Crisis helps people rebuild their lives through housing, health, education and employment services. We work with thousands of homeless people across the UK and have ambitious plans to work with many more. We currently offer services in Birmingham, Brent, Coventry, Croydon, Edinburgh, London, Merseyside, Newcastle, Oxford and South Wales and South Yorkshire.

We are also determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and to change the way society and government thinks and acts towards homeless people