- Angela Rayner has said she is confident the government can find enough accommodation to offer every rough sleeper a bed by Christmas, despite warnings that thousands of beds would be needed.
- The housing secretary said councils and charities would be asked to provide hotels, shelters and other forms of accommodation as part of a £442 million drive to tackle rough sleeping this winter.
- Rayner said: “There will be.”
- She said: “It depends, because obviously it depends on where the rough sleepers are in the country; depends on what type of accommodation is available. But we’re really clear that people won’t have to sleep on the streets this winter.”
- Rayner later told LBC she was “very confident” enough accommodation could be found but she said some people may reject the offer.
- Rayner told Sky News: “We can’t force people to accept that offer, but we will make sure that there is an offer and there is facilities that support people, in particular this winter, so that people don’t have to be rough sleeping.”
- The £442 million funding forms part of what said was a record £4 billion being spent on homelessness.
Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, has announced a commitment to ensure that every rough sleeper has a bed by Christmas, supported by £442 million in funding. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat homelessness, with a record £4 billion allocated to the cause.123567
Rayner expressed confidence in the government's ability to secure enough accommodation, stating, “There will be.” She acknowledged the challenges, noting that the availability of accommodation depends on the location of rough sleepers and the types of facilities accessible. “It depends, because obviously it depends on where the rough sleepers are in the country; depends on what type of accommodation is available,” she explained.
The funding will enable councils and charities to mobilize resources, including hotels and shelters, to provide necessary support. Rayner emphasized that while the government will make offers of accommodation, “We can’t force people to accept that offer,” indicating that some individuals may choose to decline assistance. She reassured the public, stating, “We’re really clear that people won’t have to sleep on the streets this winter.”
This initiative aims to address the urgent needs of the homeless population during the winter months, ensuring that no one is left without shelter.
“Rayner emphasized that while she is 'very confident' in finding enough accommodation, some individuals may decline the offer. The £442 million funding is part of a record £4 billion being allocated to tackle homelessness this winter.”
The Times
