Firms should help tackle homeless crisis on streets Mayoral candidate wants to see donations from private sector
CANDIDATES battling it out to become West Midlands mayor have pledged to cut homelessness – with the Conservative hopeful saying he would ask businesses to pay to help solve the problem.
Andy Street, the former managing director of retail giant John Lewis, said he believed firms would be happy to contribute, either financially or by providing expertise.
Siôn Simon, the Labour candidate, said he would make ending homelessness in the West Midlands “a top priority” if he becomes mayor.
And he said the region would have the chance to act when it receives new powers, responsibility and funding from London. It follows the death of homeless man Chirac Ionut, who died on last month in Birmingham city centre.
There are an estimated 249 people sleeping rough in the West Midlands region according to figures compiled by local councils, though it is hard to know how accurate these are.
Mr Street said he would set up a mayoral task force to cut homelessness and rough sleeping. He said: “If I were to be elected in May I would want to set up a specific task force around rough sleeping. What has happened recently has shamed our region and we need to do something about it.
“And secondly, it is not good in terms of the impression it gives of our city centres. There is a growing issue that needs to be tackled on a regional basis.”
He added: “What is very clear is that we have some success already. For example, youth rough sleeping in Birmingham is almost nil, because the agencies come together so effectively to tackle this. But we haven’t got the same inter-agency co-operation for adult rough sleeping.”
Many adults who were homeless had mental health issues, problems with alcohol or drugs, or had strug-
gled to rebuild their lives after leaving prison, he said.
He added: “It is not just about providing accommodation, It has to be about tackling those underlying prevention issues as well. And that’s why a task force bringing everyone together is important in this.”
As well as asking the private sector to contribute, he would set up a system for members of the public to donate to organisations which prevent homelessness, as an alternative to donating to street collectors.
Labour said that if it wins power nationally it will “put an end to homeless people having to sleep rough on the streets and park benches” by reserving flats and homes for people who have slept on the streets.
The policy is known as the Clearing House scheme and it already operates in London.
As well as expanding it in the capi- tal, a Labour government would extend it to Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester, Labour Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey has announced.
Labour mayor candidate Siôn Simon said: “Don’t believe politicians in London telling us that everything possible is being done to resolve the homelessness crisis. It’s not true.
“We’ve got the opportunity to do something about this, with new powers, responsibility and funding coming back to the West Midlands next year - and I will make it a top priority that we reverse the homelessness trend that blights the record of the Conservative government in London.”
The election for mayor takes place on May 4 2017. Candidates include Liberal Democrat Beverley Nielsen; Green candidate James Burn, and UKIP candidate Pete Durnell.