Heather Wheeler MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, met with St Mungo’s clients and staff in West London today (Monday 1 April). The Minister visited the charity’s No Second Night Out (NSNO) assessment hub.
The Minister was shown around the hub and heard how staff support people who have found themselves sleeping rough on the streets of London for the first time. The team works quickly to assess people’s options and find a safe route away from sleeping on the streets.
Mrs Wheeler heard about the importance of long term support to help people move on from homelessness and rebuild their lives, and prevent them from ever returning to the streets.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Heather Wheeler MP, said:
“Today I was able to meet St Mungo’s staff and see first-hand the work they are doing not only to support people who have found themselves sleeping rough for the first time, but also the crucial longer-term support they are providing to ensure those they work with never need to resort to sleeping on the streets again.”
“We’re investing £1.2bn to tackle all forms of homelessness and have bold plans to end rough sleeping for good, backed by the £100m rough sleeping strategy. We have also changed the law meaning councils must provide early support for those at risk of being left with nowhere to go.”
Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to meet with St Mungo’s clients and staff and see some of the innovative work we are doing to help people experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives.
“With the upcoming Spending Review, the Government has a real opportunity to end rough sleeping for thousands of individuals by committing to providing more social housing; a more secure and affordable private rented sector; and a new programme of long-term, guaranteed funding for homelessness services.”
