HARLOW MP, Chris Vince, has welcomed the Labour Government’s “bold new strategy” to end homelessness across Essex.

Backed by £3.5 billion of investment over the next 3 years – including around an extra £85,022,440 for the East of England – Labour’s National Plan to End Homelessness will support the most vulnerable people to find their feet and improve their lives.

The Plan has three key pledges to be achieved by the end of this parliament – to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers, end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families and prevent more households from becoming homeless in the first place.

It will be underpinned by clear, ambitious goals for lasting change, including a duty on public services to work together to prevent homelessness, a boost to the supply of good-quality temporary homes, and £3.5 billion – a £1 billion funding boost over and above previous commitments – to support rough sleeping and support services.

Chris Vince said the Labour Government is taking the action needed to end the heartbreak of homelessness, which more than doubled under the last government.

Welcoming the Labour Government’s homelessness strategy, Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said:

“The homelessness strategy published today is a watershed moment and is strongly welcomed by St Mungo’s.” Meanwhile, Blabir Kaur Chatrik, Director of Policy and Prevention at Centrepoint said: “we have seen record levels of youth homelessness so it’s very welcome to see government looking at young people specifically.”

Launching Labour’s Plan to End Homelessness, Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

“Homelessness is one of the most profound challenges we face as a society, because at the heart, it’s about people. Families deserve stability, children need a safe place to grow, and individuals simply want the dignity of a home. This strategy is shaped by the voices of those who’ve lived through homelessness and the frontline workers who fight tirelessly to prevent it. Through our new strategy we can build a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated. With record investment, new duties on public services, and a relentless focus on accountability, we will turn ambition into reality.”

Welcoming the Plan, Chris Vince said:

“Having worked for a homeless charity here in Harlow this is personal to me. I’m delighted that Labour’s Plan to End Homelessness is backed by the investment that’s needed, including around £85 million extra for the East of England. Labour is taking the action needed to drive down homelessness, which, for far too long, has been a moral stain on our country.”

ENDS