Councils in Wales will get an extra £10 million to help them to take immediate and direct action to protect homeless people and rough sleepers in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The additional funding from Welsh Government will enable local authorities to secure accommodation needed to ensure those without a home can be protected, supported, and isolated if necessary.
This could include the block purchase of B&B or hotel rooms, empty student accommodation and other premises to operate alongside existing provision. This provision will need to be managed and supported by the professionals working in this sector to ensure high quality support, hygiene standards and appropriate monitoring for symptoms and illness.
Ministers are acting to ensure those who have no recourse to public funds, such as victims of domestic abuse and asylum seekers, are supported during the outbreak.
The law currently prevents ministers from offering them certain types of support, including housing support. Local authorities have been directed to utilise alternative powers and funding to assist those who require shelter and other forms of support during the pandemic. This will ensure they are supported to stay safe and well.
Housing minister Julie James said:
‘The coming weeks and months will be extremely difficult for us all, but for those who do not have the security of a place to call home and for those who work tirelessly to support them, this will be a particularly testing time. Many may not have access to the facilities that enable them to adhere to public health guidance on hygiene or isolation.
‘The £10 million in financial support I am announcing today will ensure people who are, or are at risk of, sleeping rough, and those who are in inadequate temporary accommodation, have the support and resources needed to protect themselves during the outbreak.
‘We are also taking action to ensure everyone in Wales, regardless of their immigration status, can be supported to remain safe and well during this time.
‘I will do everything in my power to ensure that artificial barriers to doing the right thing are removed so that collectively we can respond swiftly and flexibly to this unprecedented situation.’
Deputy minister and chief whip Jane Hutt said:
‘Coronavirus and the need for social isolation is putting real pressure on all of us in Wales, but especially the most vulnerable, including victims and survivors of domestic abuse, those with no recourse to public funds, and those who are homeless.
‘At times like these our strong community, public services, and third sector partners across Wales are a huge asset. It is vital that our vulnerable citizens are wholly supported during these unprecedented times.
‘One size doesn’t fit all where benefits and provision is concerned, so I’m delighted that this new financial support will enable local authorities to provide the secure and supported shelter needed by those who don’t have a safe place to call home.’
The new funding package has won support across the Welsh housing sector.
Councillor Andrea Lewis (Swansea), Welsh Local Government spokesperson for housing said:
‘Councils have key roles, alongside our partners, in supporting the most vulnerable in our communities and ensuring public protection. Safe and secure accommodation is vital if everyone is to have the opportunity to access good hygiene facilities and support.
‘We welcome the additional funding which will be used flexibly alongside existing resources to ensure that we can make more accommodation available which is suitable and secure, providing options to the most vulnerable in ways that reflect local needs.’
Stuart Ropke, chief executive of Community Housing Cymru said:
‘Nobody should be without warm and safe shelter. On a daily basis, housing associations work tirelessly to ensure people have access to the services and support they need, and in a crisis, it’s crucial this is made as quick and simple as possible.
‘We welcome Welsh Government’s plans to ensure councils have the funding and power to support people, whatever their circumstance, during this uncertain and highly difficult time.’
Katie Dalton, director of Cymorth Cymru said:
‘We really welcome the additional funding to help secure accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness, violence and domestic abuse, including those with no recourse to public funds.
‘It is essential that people in the most vulnerable positions are protected during this pandemic and have the ability to self-isolate. We hope this funding enables people without a home to access the safe accommodation, hygiene facilities and support they need.
‘The homelessness and housing support sector is working incredibly hard to ensure that people continue to receive support. This funding will be very helpful and we hope that further progress on testing and access to childcare will enable support staff to continue to meet the challenges ahead.’
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said:
‘We strongly welcome the news that the Welsh Government is working to protect the health of people across Wales who are without a home. By providing extra funding, making self-contained accommodation a priority, and giving a clear direction to remove barriers that currently stop people receiving support, the Welsh Government is responding in the right way to a quickly changing situation.
‘As the outbreak progresses we must also make sure people are supported to keep a roof over their head. The extra pressures now on our most vulnerable citizens mean that people are more at risk of losing their homes. That’s why it’s so vital that we see the immediate suspension of all evictions for social and private tenants.
‘We must all pull together and support each other through during this difficult time and all governments should step up their efforts to match the scale of the challenge facing us. There will be more to do in the coming weeks and months. The priority right now is making sure people are supported in self-contained accommodation. However, we are reassured that the Welsh Government has also pledged not to lose sight of the ambition to agree a plan to end homelessness in all its forms.’
The new funding will form part of a wider support package for local authorities. Ministers will announce further details on this in the coming days.
Welsh Government is also ensuring existing funding can be used flexibly and effectively to support important work at a local level to meet the COVID-19 challenge. Officials will be writing today to local authorities setting out how they can maximise the Housing Support Grant and Children and Communities Grants to best meet local needs.
Further information on how the Welsh Government is deal with the outbreak can be found at www.gov.wales/coronavirus