Building Futures: Government’s New Approach to Homelessness Revealed

Image Source: GrantWatch

The government says it’s stepping up its efforts to tackle homelessness, with Deputy Minister Rushanara Ali sharing some of the latest plans. The focus is shifting away from old laws that punished rough sleeping and toward more support and prevention.

Here’s what’s happening:

The Vagrancy Act, which has been around for centuries, will be scrapped by next spring. Instead of criminalizing people for sleeping on the streets, the government wants to go after organized crime and activities that put communities at risk.
There will be new laws to deal with organized begging and trespassing, but the aim is to make sure people who are homeless aren’t punished just for having nowhere to go.
Funding for homelessness services is getting a boost—an extra £233 million next year, bringing the total close to £1 billion. This is meant to help with both immediate needs and longer-term solutions.
The government is working on a new strategy that involves local councils and mayors, so resources can be better coordinated.
Grants like the Homelessness Prevention Grant are being reviewed to make sure the money is actually reaching the people and places that need it most.

The plan isn’t just about emergency shelters. It also includes more affordable housing, job training, and outreach programs to help people get back on their feet.

Deputy Minister Ali stressed the need to remove stigma and work closely with charities and local partners, so homelessness becomes rare and short-lived.

Advocacy groups are hopeful these changes will make a real difference for people at risk.

Source: GOV.UK