Comment on the homelessness prevention programme

Commenting on the homelessness prevention programme announced by the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, Charlotte Ramsden, Chair of the Association’s Health, Care and Additional Needs Policy Committee, said:

“Young people can become homeless for a whole range of complex and overlapping reasons including experiencing family breakdowns, mental health problems and unemployment, to name a few. We know that care leavers are particularly vulnerable to homelessness and the Association welcomed steps taken by the government earlier this year to extend the support provided to care leavers up to 25. Helping young people earlier, before problems become engrained and reach crisis point is crucial if we are to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place. Any additional funding towards this endeavour will go some way but it can only go so far. Government must recognise the wider impact of its welfare reforms, including cuts to housing allowance alongside lack of affordable housing, on vulnerable young people and families and levels of homelessness across the country.”

ENDS

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