Salvation Army response to announcement of additional £112m for Rough Sleeping Initiative

The Salvation Army’s Assistant Director of Homelessness Services, Malcolm Page said: “While we welcome the investment into the Rough Sleeping initiative as we have already seen short term improvements in numbers from last year – we have to look at the bigger picture.

“Since 2010, there has been a 165% increase in rough sleeping. Outreach services can only do so much, unless there is continuing support for rough sleepers then these vulnerable people may return to the streets. Sadly these support service have been cut by £1bn* since 2010.

“People end up rough sleeping for many complex reasons like fleeing domestic violence, childhood trauma, mental ill health or addictions. We need investment in supported housing which not only provides a home but also services to tackle the root causes of homelessness. For too long local authorities have been left trying to pick up the pieces of people’s lives; central Government needs to provide targeted funding so that councils can provide tailored local support for homeless people in their areas.”