MP chairs homelessness summit
ROUND-TABLE talks have been held following a sharp increase in the number of rough sleepers in south Warwickshire.
A summit organised by Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western was attended by 20 support organisations, including national charities Shelter and Crisis, as well as representatives from Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County County.
They discussed finding practical solutions for those suffering from homelessness, with ideas put forward including the need for housing first policies, innovative addiction treatments and the use of modular housing.
Also raised was a sharp decline in funding available.
Mr Western said: "I was pleased to organise and chair the Housing and Homelessness summit which brought together many organisations working hard on the issue of homelessness in our local area.
"Representatives from national homelessness organisations such as Crisis and Shelter travelled all the way from London and other parts of the country specifically to attend the meeting. I am delighted that Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council supported the initiative so we are not working in isolation.
"It is important to work together to address the causes and symptoms of homelessness by providing bespoke and holistic treatment services, as well as fulfilling our duty to provide social, council and affordable housing.
"I welcome the new funding being made available by Warwickshire County Council and it is an important step that must be maintained in future.
"Many organisations spoke of the impact of budget cuts on the services they provided, and delivered stark reminders of how rough sleeping has increased by 169 per cent since 2010.
"This demonstrates how vital it is we take concrete and positive action now, and I look forward to working with homelessness charities and local authorities in future to end homelessness and rough sleeping."
Warwickshire County Council recently set aside £300,000 in its budget to tackle homelessness, while Warwick District Council has agreed to take on a key role in establishing a night shelter in Leamington including making a significant contribution towards the conversion and refurbishment costs.
Cllr Peter Phillips, portfolio holder for housing and property services at Warwick District Council, added: "There is an urgent need to tackle the rising problem of homelessness and rough sleeping in our district and to be able to offer practical support to the voluntary sector in the amazing job they do in helping the most vulnerable people in our community.
"I very much hope that the announcement of our plans to secure a permanent home for the LWS Night Shelter and the purchase of a former hostel in Warwick to provide supported accommodation for the homeless will be a first step.
"These schemes and others like it will give more opportunities for this vulnerable group of people to engage with professional agencies and accept support to address the complex issues they are facing.”
Cllr Les Cabourn, portfolio holder for health and social care at Warwickshire County Council, added: "The council has recently pledged an investment of £300,000 over two years to support homelessness, in particular, rough sleepers who may also have mental health issues and/or drugs and alcohol dependencies.
"We will be working collaboratively with partners to deliver a programme of work to help address this challenge. Delivering this in partnership is key to finding an effective solution and we look forward to working across health, social care and the third sector in beginning to tackle this important issue."