Steve Rotheram meets Sajid Javid to discuss tackling homelessness

Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram will meet Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, today to discuss plans to eradicate homelessness in the Liverpool City Region.

In the Chancellor’s 2017 Autumn Budget, £28 million funding was announced for Housing First pilots in the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

Speaking before the meeting, Steve Rotheram said:

“Our aim has to be to eradicate homelessness in the Liverpool City Region.  It is a scourge that we should not tolerate in a modern society. 

“Housing First is a practical initiative that can provide the support people need to escape from homelessness and I am very pleased that we can pilot it here in the Liverpool City Region.  Today is an opportunity to identify concrete steps to take this project forward.”

Housing First is a system of support for homeless people with high and complex needs which is designed to deliver a sustainable exit from homelessness, improve health and well-being and enable social integration.

Using ordinary housing, such as private rented or social rented flats, Housing First is designed to house formerly homeless people with high needs in their own, settled homes as quickly as possible and to provide the support they will need to sustain an exit from homelessness in their own home.

Housing First will build on and support some of the UK-leading work that local councils arealready doing to tackle homelessness.

Within the Liverpool City Region it has the support of all six council leaders in City Region and is a collaboration between the Combined Authority and these local authorities.