THIS week, Chris Vince MP, the Member of Parliament for Harlow – a constituency which covers three District Councils – has welcomed additional funding from central government to Harlow, Epping Forest, and Uttlesford District Councils to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. 

Mr Vince said: “As someone who worked for a homeless charity in Harlow, I know the challenges that we face on this issue. It is an issue that will not go away by itself – it requires attention, and Labour is providing just that. I welcome the additional £1.2m on top of usual funding for Harlow, with more to come, as well funding of at least £1.6m for Epping Forest and Uttlesford councils which have parts in Harlow constituency. 

This is part of the Government’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our community.

The last Government left a devastating record of more than 123,000 households living in temporary accommodation, including nearly 160,000 children. Since taking office, this Labour Government has been working to tackle the crisis in homelessness left behind by the Tories. This follows the Deputy Prime Minister last month launching an emergency £10m fund to protect rough sleepers from cold weather this winter.”

In the Budget the Chancellor announced an additional £233m for tackling all forms of homelessness, taking total spending on reducing homelessness to nearly £1bn in 2025-26. This funding is just one branch of the government’s wider drive to fix the housing crisis. Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished through the Renters’ Rights Bill, immediately putting an end to one of the leading causes of homelessness.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also chairing the cross-government group on tackling homelessness.

Homelessness will not be solved in a day, but this Government is starting the work of change to end this societal plight.