Housing Committee presses Government for clarity on their action to tackle rough sleeping
8 May 2025
Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee has pressed the Government for further clarity on their actions on a series of rough-sleeping issues, including efforts to boost social and affordable housing.
The request was made in a letter to Rushanara Ali, Minister for Homelessness and Democracy, published today (Thursday).
The Chair’s letter follows up on areas that the Committee felt were not adequately addressed in the Government’s response to the Committee’s recent rough sleeping inquiry.
- Letter from Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee, Rough Sleeping Inquiry: follow-up to Government response
- Government response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Rough Sleeping Inquiry
Chair comment
Florence Eshalomi, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee said: “It is a damning indictment that thousands of people are sleeping on the streets of England every single night. When so many people are going without the most basic of things like proper shelter and sanitation, we must stop people getting into this situation and help those sleeping rough as an urgent priority.
“While we welcome some areas of clarification from the Government, we feel it is critical that they directly address the Committee’s recommendation for a specific target for affordable and social housing, as well as provide more details on how they will review welfare assistance for those on low incomes.
“I also urge the Government to recognise the importance of Committee scrutiny of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Tackling Homelessness and Rough Sleeping. I hope the Minister will commit to updating the Committee on the progress the group is making towards achieving its objectives.”
Further information
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