Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is urging government officials to take a more innovative approach in addressing the issue of homelessness. Burnham believes that homelessness is a solvable problem and criticizes the government for policies that contribute to the problem.
The Labour Party has introduced a new National Plan to End Homelessness, which aims to reduce the number of individuals sleeping on the streets and eliminate the situation where families are stuck in inadequate accommodations. This plan, supported by a £3.5 billion budget, includes measures to prevent households from becoming homeless in the first place.
Despite achieving a 42% decrease in street homelessness in his region since taking office in 2017, Burnham insists that national efforts must be more ambitious. He advocates for a “housing first” approach and emphasizes the importance of investing in long-term solutions to homelessness.
Burnham also criticizes government decisions that exacerbate homelessness, such as the freeze on housing benefit levels and the eviction of asylum seekers with insufficient time to find alternative housing. The reduced timeframe for asylum seekers to leave government-provided accommodation after receiving permission to remain has been a contentious issue, prompting calls for policy reversal.
In response, Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern emphasizes the government’s commitment to preventing homelessness and highlights initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals and families. She underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to address the root causes of homelessness and mitigate its impact on society.