Crisis responds to the Budget announcement

Crisis welcomes the homelessness funding, but money alone won't tackle the deep-rooted problems.

In today’s Budget, the Chancellor announced £115m to help homeless people escape the streets and move on from hostels.

Responding, Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “We welcome today’s commitment to help more people off the streets and out of hostels. Rough sleeping has more than doubled since 2010 and these vital funds are needed now more than ever:

“The announcement of funding for Housing First is particularly welcome. This is something that Crisis has been calling for and offers a real opportunity to end homelessness for some of the most vulnerable people.

“Nevertheless, if the Government is serious about tackling homelessness, it needs to go much further than this. Without stronger action, including a change in the law and the funding to make it work, these measures do little to tackle the underlying problems, both in the law and with conditions in the housing market.

“The law as it stands means that single homeless people who go to their councils for help are often turned away to sleep on the streets – cold, desperate and forgotten. It’s a scandal that someone in this situation can be told they’re not vulnerable enough for help.

“The scale of the task is enormous: all forms of homelessness continue to rise and many of the underlying causes remain. We strongly urge the government to follow through on its commitment to consider options – including legislation – to prevent more people from becoming homeless. It is essential that all homeless people can get the help they need and that councils get the necessary funding to deliver on this.”