The latest in government action in response to coronavirus and provision for homeless people:

Westminster

Earlier this week the Westminster Government launched a national campaign in England to highlight that help is available to domestic abuse survivors during lockdown. They also announced that the Home Office is working with charities to provide an extra £2m for domestic abuse helplines and online support.

While this is welcome, serious concerns remain around the lack of safe spaces for domestic abuse survivors when they have fled a perpetrator. We'll continue to push for the Government to lift all tests in homelessness legislation and extend automatic priority need status to people fleeing domestic abuse. This would give this vulnerable group a legal right to safe and secure housing from their local authority.

It was also confirmed that from April 21, when Parliamentary recess is over, MPs will return to Westminster but will be encouraged to attend virtually for the first time in history. PMQs, urgent questions, select committees and statements will be trialled in this way. We'll be exploring virtual Parliamentary events when the Domestic Abuse Bill is brought back to Parliament.

Wales

The Welsh Government has made £10m available to provide self-contained accommodation and support for people sleeping rough or in unsuitable temporary accommodation.

From this week we'll be meeting Welsh Government officials, along with colleagues from the housing and homelessness sector, on a weekly basis to hear direct updates on homelessness across Wales and to advise on the steps needed to rehouse and support everyone, and to prevent people losing their homes in the first place.

Scotland

Although we have no new updates to share at this time, we continue to work with the Scottish Government in response to the outbreak.

We’ve also highlighted to them that we’re keen to work with the Scottish Government to develop an exit plan for when the crisis is over to make sure that those who have been offered temporary accommodation can move into secure homes and do not have to return to the streets – including for those with no recourse to public funds.

Article: 17.04.20