Today the Homelessness Reduction Act comes into force, bringing with it the most ambitious legal reform in decades, placing new duties on councils to prevent and relieve homelessness, including for single homeless people who could be at greater risk of sleeping rough.
Commenting Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
"As Eastleigh’s MP I have spoken in Parliament of the harrowing cases of homelessness that I have dealt with during my regular advice surgeries, with a particular focus on the link between mental health and homelessness.
"It is also vital that we support single homeless people, who too often find themselves being ‘missed out’ and are known to be at a greater risk.
"Having successfully worked alongside my casework team to support homeless people locally, and met with the excellent charity Shelter, I understood just how key the Homelessness Reduction Bill would be when it comes to eliminating rough sleeping, and was proud to Back the Bill when it was introduced to Parliament.
"I am delighted to have worked alongside Ministers at the Department for Communities and Local Government since that time and worked to deliver on the requirements of the Bill. This is a key step towards achieving the government’s commitment to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminate it altogether by 2027, and vitally the government has provided millions of pounds to support local authorities in their work locally."
The government supported the Homelessness Reduction Bill which was introduced to the House of Commons in summer 2016 by Bob Blackman MP, and progressed through Parliament with cross party support. The Act received Royal Assent on Thursday 27th April 2017.
For more information see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-housing-communities-and-local-government