The Liberal Democrats have proposed the creation of a £60m fund to help local authorities tackle homelessness.
The extra funding would enable councils to intervene early in order to prevent people losing their homes. It would also go towards funding emergency accommodation.
The proposal is part of a wider plan the party is putting forward to tackle the root causes of homelessness.
This includes extending the period someone is defined as threatened with homelessness from 28 to 56 days to allow earlier interventions and restoring housing benefit for 18-21s.
The Lib Dems also wish to increase housebuilding to at least 300,000 new homes a year, and bring an end to the Government’s policy of forcing local authorities to sell high value council homes.
They are also calling for a clampdown on rogue landlords who unfairly evict private tenants, through the Renters’ Rights Bill currently going through Parliament.
‘Britain is one of the richest places on earth, it is a stain on our nation’s conscience that thousands of people are still sleeping rough in the streets every night,’ said leader Tim Farron.
‘The Liberal Democrats have set out a clear plan to end the scourge of homelessness and ensure those at risk of losing their home are given the support they need.
‘It is about time the Government stopped fuelling the housing crisis and started tackling it, by building more homes, restoring housing benefit for young people and clamping down on rogue landlords.’
