Local MP welcomes over cash injection to tackle homelessness in Cheshire West & Chester

Samantha Dixon, Member of Parliament for Chester North and Neston, has welcomed a £624,320 injection to tackle homelessness and rough-sleeping in Cheshire West and Chester.

Thousands of people facing homelessness will be supported by an investment from Government of £84 million to councils up and down the country ahead of winter, with Cheshire West set to benefit.

This funding is part of a wider £8 million investment across the North West region, aimed at helping some of the most vulnerable people in our communities

Children and families in temporary accommodation across Cheshire West and Chester will be prioritised – with the funding to go towards helping families to cover the essentials like food, school travel and laundry. The new funding unlocked by the Labour Government, which will support children to remain in education, was announced on World Homeless Day (10 October).

It comes as record levels of households are in temporary accommodation across the country, including nearly 170,000 children. After 14 years of Conservative government, levels of rough sleeping have more than doubled since 2010.

This announcement comes on top of the Labour Government’s almost £1 billion investment to tackle homelessness this year and includes the largest ever investment in prevention services, helping councils intervene early and stop homelessness before it happens.

The investment provides tailored services for those experiencing long-term rough sleeping – including mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment and sustainable accommodation – ensuring people get the help they need to rebuild their lives.

Labour’s Housing Secretary, Steve Reed MP, said:

“Homelessness is a moral stain on our society. Growing numbers of people have been abandoned to sleep rough on the streets and children left in squalid, overcrowded conditions. That’s why we are investing £1 billion to give homeless people the security of a roof over their heads and get back on track to end homelessness for good.”

Today’s investment supports delivery of the Labour government’s Plan for Change, in addition to:

• £950 million to increase the supply of good temporary accommodation

• Abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions through the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill

• £39 billion investment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation.

Labour’s Homelessness Minister, Alison McGovern MP, said:

“You can’t have a decent life without a decent home. Whether it’s rough sleeping or sofa surfing or, at its worst, children stuck in B&Bs, homelessness in the UK has been too high for too long.

“This has to stop. Through our Plan for Change, the UK will build homes and get help to those who need it to put a roof over their head.

“We’re providing extra cash now to address a crisis made over the past decade. Both the government’s £39bn to build social and affordable homes and the Child Poverty Strategy to come will tackle the root causes of this problem, but we need action now to stop homelessness getting any worse.” 

Samantha Dixon, Labour Member of Parliament for Chester North and Neston said:

“The moral stain of homelessness and rough-sleeping increased in our area under the last Conservative Government. I know from speaking with people in our community that tackling this problem is a priority. 

“There are excellent agencies working together here in Chester to try to eradicate rough sleeping and homelessness. I have no doubt the extra resources provided by this Labour Government will make a huge difference to address this crisis in our area and around the country.” 

Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said:

“This funding is very welcome, especially as winter approaches and with homelessness rising. More people are likely to face the prospect of sleeping on cold streets and need support urgently. More parents will be working out how to help their children do homework from cramped and draughty temporary accommodation. 

“We know that targeted support can make a big difference and help people take their first steps out of homelessness.”

Pictured - Samantha Dixon, Labour Member of Parliament for Chester North and Neston.