Shelter responds to MEN story about government “scrapping” it’s 'Everyone In' initiative to house rough sleepers in emergency accommodation during COVID-19
Posted 15 May 2020
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “A deeply worrying story in the MEN today has sparked a new round of confusion over the government’s plans to help people sleeping rough during this pandemic into a safe home, and off the streets for good.
“The extra funds given to councils for emergency accommodation at the start of this crisis were much-needed. It’s vital that all the progress made isn’t lost by the safety net being stripped back without sufficient funding and guidance for councils, who can’t be left to pick up the pieces on their own. Something has gone very wrong in Manchester if that’s the case.
“The government doesn’t want to abandon the people it set out to help. That means it must make crystal clear that anyone who is homeless and needs help should be accommodated now and supported into the future. And above all it needs to provide councils with enough funding to make sure it happens, and to deliver the secure social homes that will be critical if we’re to eradicate homelessness for good.”ENDS