- 14/02/2018
- Posted by: Lesley Griffiths MS
- Category: News
Tackling homelessness remains a key priority for the Welsh Government as new measures are outlined in the National Assembly.
Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has welcomed the latest announcements that will also see local authorities being allocated additional funding to help prevent homelessness.
The Welsh Government has published a document outlining how Housing First is to be implemented across Wales. The scheme is a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that centres on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing, before providing additional support and services as needed. There are currently 10 Housing First pilot projects across Wales.
An Action Plan has also been developed aimed at reducing rough-sleeping. Developed with organisations including Shelter Cymru, and members of Rough Sleepers Cymru, the policy covers a range of activity, supporting people to engage with services and get off the streets as quickly as possible. It also addresses wider issues such as a review of priority need and Welsh Government guidance on cold weather plans.
In addition, councils in Wales are set to receive an extra £2.8m to fund homelessness prevention work, focusing on reducing rough sleeping, improving access to the private rented sector and strengthening services for people with mental health and substance misuse problems.
Wrexham’s AM Lesley Griffiths said: “In spite of severe budget cuts by the UK Government, I believe these latest measures demonstrate the Welsh Government’s commitment to tacking homelessness. Ambitious proposals to end youth homelessness by 2027 have already been outlined in the recent Budget announcement. The £10m funding boost will complement the £20m allocated over the next two years and is in addition to the £2.6m Wrexham Council received a share of last September.”
“A number of factors can cause a person to become homeless but a multi-agency approach is critical to help address the issues. I regularly meet with local charities and organisations who continue to work in partnership in order to achieve both short and long term solutions, and I believe these latest Welsh Government measures will assist the good work that’s happening locally.”
