Homeless at risk this winter due to lack of emergency accommodation
- 12 Dec
Homeless people are at risk of dying on the streets this winter as one in three council workers have stated that because of budget cuts, they are less able to provide emergency accommodation in cold temperatures.
An Inside Housing survey of 138 council staff, taken from 115 councils across England has revealed that 49 of them stated that their employer has reduced its facilities in providing emergency accommodation if temperatures drop below zero degrees, is already the case in some parts of England. They suggest that councils may breach their own Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) which are triggered in cold weather to prevent deaths on the street.
The results from this survey suggest that homelessness services are struggling to cope with the added pressures of the weather. Homelessness minister, Kris Hopkins, argued that the reason why the large majority of councils lacked confidence in providing support to those in desperate need was due to the government's procedures with homeless people, including the No Second Night Out programme.
Homelessness charity Crisis stated that the results of the survey were ‘deeply troubling'. Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: ‘Sleeping rough in freezing temperatures can kill you. This is why it is essential that shelter from the cold is available in every area, with enough resources to meet rising demand'.
A council officer in the North West stated, ‘It feels like homelessness is no longer a priority. This is very sad because we have worked with a client who lost their toes as a direct result of frost bite whilst rough sleeping'.
The National Audit Office (NAO) said last month that the government will reduce its funding to councils by an estimated 28% between 2010/11 and 2014/15.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis stated, ‘SWEP could be a lifesaver for those left with nowhere else to turn this winter so it is deeply troubling to hear that cuts may leave some councils unable to keep people safe'.
Read more here.
Image source: http://www.freeimages.com/photo/1176741
Related articles
- 03 Nov
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO WAIT LONG HOURS IN AMBULANCES BEFORE BEING ATTENDED TO
Reports by The Guardian shows details from the FOI requests which found that:According to the shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth:"These figures show an ambulance service pushed to the brink by...
- 08 Aug
DATA REVEALS THAT OVER 40% OF MATERNITY WARDS IN ENGLAND REJECTED EXPECTANT MOTHERS AT LEAST ONCE LAST YEAR
The data which was the outcome of a Freedom of Information request reveals the following:Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow health secretary, said:"These findings show the devastating impact which Tory...
- 04 Aug
PARENTS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCESS SERVICES ON THE "CHILDCARE CHOICES" WEBSITE
Many parents have reported problems while using the Childcare Choices website in May and struggled to register on it. However, HMRC apologised for the inconvenience, saying it had improved the...
- 01 Aug
HOSPITAL BUILDING PLANS TO CLOSE FOR A YEAR DUE TO FIRE SAFETY PROBLEMS
After a review of buildings, 52 inpatient beds will be moved from the trauma unit of John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on the 4th of August.According to the NHS trust overseeing the site, a...
- 26 Jul
THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CARE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
New figures on mental health showed the following:The author of an EPI report on children's mental health, Emily Frith, said:"Being in hospital for a mental health condition can be a disturbing...
- 20 Jul
REPORT WARNS THAT VULNERABLE ADULTS ARE BEING LET DOWN BY SOCIAL WORKERS AND CARE PROVIDERS
According to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman review:Local government and social care ombudsman, Michael King, said:"While I appreciate the complex emotional and practical decisions...
- 14 Jul
ONE OF SCOTLAND'S LARGEST HEALTH BOARDS HAS OVERSPENT ON CARE SERVICES
Prior to a meeting of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (IJB) today, the following figures emerged:The entire NHS Lothian budget shows a funding gap of £22.4m and the IJB agreed to savings of...
- 07 Jul
SURVEY FINDS THAT MENTAL HEALTH DEMANDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS YEAR
The poll by NHS Providers suggests the following:Louise Rubin of the charity, Mind, said:"We are concerned that people coming forward and seeking help for mental health problems are not getting the...
- 16 Jun
ADASS ISSUES GUIDANCE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS ON HOW TO PROTECT VULNERABLE ADULTS FROM SCAMS
The guidance by the ADASS includes the following:Vice President of ADASS, Glen Garrod, said:"Carers, families and neighbours need to be more aware of abuse, which can see older and disabled people...
- 07 Jun
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT PAYS BACK TO FAMILIES WHO WRONGLY PAID CARE HOME FEES
A Welsh Government spokesman said:"Earlier this year we introduced an amended process in order to accelerate the speed at which claims are processed."We have also developed common reporting criteria...
The Welfare Reform Act: Universal Credit, Sheltered and Supported Housing The content was concise and to the point. The content was relevant to our service, and gave us a better us a better indication of were stand with upcoming changes. Rosie Kaur - Panahghar
