Survey finds funding pressures hit support for the homeless
- 25 Apr
A survey by Homeless Link finds that many homelessness projects have reduced complex needs support as the demand has risen.
Homeless Link's annual review of the homeless support sector has found that almost one in ten homelessness projects had restricted the support they offer to people with the most complex of needs over the past year, reports Community Care.
The report also found that 91% of accommodation projects had refused access to people assessed as too high-risk in the last year compared to 79% in the year before. Projects are also turning away people whose needs are deemed too great to manage.
"Across the sector, projects are reporting that clients with increasingly complex needs are using their services," says the report. "It could be that day centres are becoming more chaotic as a result, putting off lower support clients from attending."
The report also found that 38% of supported accommodation projects saw their income fall between 2012 and 2013 and 26% of day centres saw their money reduce also.
The survey questioned 459 homelessness agencies in England and found there were 1,104 fewer beds for single homeless people in 2013 than in 2012.
The report also says that the government's benefit changes are having a significant impact with 69% of projects saying they were concerned about benefit sanctions for homeless people.
Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link has said: "It is encouraging that despite several years of falling funding, homeless charities have continued to meet the high demand for help. However, the housing crisis is putting this good work at risk. Many individuals are simply ending up stuck in services, unable to find a home of their own because they can't rent or no one will rent to them."
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Image source: http://www.freeimages.com/browse.phtml?f=view&id=707084
Related articles
- 11 Sep
New service to support homeless people in Birmingham
A new dedicated Homeless Street Triage car will be responding to the rising number of calls reporting homelessness, begging and anti-social drinking in the city, reports 24dash.In the last year –...
- 09 Sep
Gym in Kent hopes to improve health and fitness of homeless people
Riverside is a specialist in working with single homeless people to help them get their lives back on track and into accommodation. Their new project, a gymnasium, has been funded by the Riverside...
- 08 Sep
The cost of homelessness in Hackney doubles
Figures have shown that the cost of homelessness in 2009/10 was £3,092,255 compared to £7,167,440 in 2014/15, with a cut on staff spending from £3,239,653 to £2,608,491 reports 24dash.Hackney...
- 04 Sep
Two homelessness services to be investigated
The Scottish Housing Regulator is set to investigate every aspect of services offered by Dumfries and Galloway Council, whilst also examining how homeless people access help and support at Scottish...
- 03 Sep
Homeless project for young people under threat due to cuts
Platform for Life was expected to attract interest from numerous housing associations with its scheme to convert properties into accommodation for young people in further education, training or work,...
- 01 Sep
Charities warns Irish government of homelessness crisis
Social Justice Ireland is calling for a new funding system that will meet the demand and reveal that only 20 council homes for families have been completed within the first three months of this year,...
- 26 Aug
Newspaper office to become a centre for homeless people
The old office for the Doncaster Free Press is being transformed into flats and other facilities for people who are homeless, reports Hold the Front Page. The building is being turned into...
- 20 Aug
Cuts leaving people in Cheltenham needing homelessness support
Bosses at CCP and Cheltenham Borough Council have said the “devastating impact” of benefit cuts in the town are causing issues for many people, report the Gloucestershire Echo.Over the past few...
- 19 Aug
Concern that homelessness in Cambridge is at ‘tipping point’
Not only do figures show a rise in quarterly numbers by 24 households, they also reveal that over 350 cases were placed in temporary accommodation over the last year, which was a rise of 50 cases on...
- 11 Aug
Charities say Wales is “setting an example” for homelessness
A joint report by Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has praised Welsh laws that are trying to address the issues of homelessness, reports the BBC.However they warn that the removal of...
Revenue Optimisation "I am really impressed with Support Solutions and how small organisations are supported with information and training" Susan Harrison (Tenant Support Services)
