William Eichler 19 December 2019

Council chiefs call for welfare reform to tackle homelessness

Local authority leaders have called on the new Government to adapt welfare reforms so that they protect families at risk of becoming homeless.

The call came in response to the latest homelessness statistics which show that the number of households assessed by councils as either homeless or threatened with homelessness increased by 11.4% to 68,170 between April and June 2018 and the same quarter in 2019.

The charity Shelter has revealed that 280,000 people are recorded as homeless in England – an increase of 23,000 since 2016.

Responding to these figures, the Local Government Association’s housing spokesman, Cllr David Renard, said: ‘Behind every instance of homelessness lies an individual tragedy and councils want to work with the new government to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place and support those affected.’

He urged the new Government to adapt welfare reforms to protect families at risk of becoming homeless by restoring Local Housing Allowance rates to cover ‘at least’ the lowest third of market rents when the current freeze ends in 2020.

Cllr Renard also said that local authorities should be given the powers and funding needed to build affordable housing, and Right to Buy should be reformed to allow councils to keep all sales receipts and set discounts locally.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner