Today, the Government published its policy statement and consultation on the future funding of supported housing. In response, Denise Hatton, Chief Executive for the National Council of YMCAs in England & Wales, said:
“The response to the supported housing consultation was a long time coming and can only be seen as a backward step. It is extremely disappointing that the Government has not taken on board some of the most crucial recommendations made by sector experts.
“The Government’s suggested approach to dealing with short-term supported housing will mean no security within the sector and lead to fewer providers investing and building new and additional accommodation going forward. The sector will now be dependent on short term grants and living under the threat of the ring-fenced funding being lifted at any time, as it was in the past with supported people funding.
“Subsequently, this will potentially leave more young people on the streets and homeless not fewer, and that shows that the Government simply doesn’t get it.”