Rotheram debates problem of homelessness with Javid

METRO mayor Steve Rotheram has met Housing Secretary Sajid Javid to discuss plans to eradicate homelessness including in Halton.

A spokesman for Mr Rotheram said the Chancellor Of The Exchequer’s autumn Budget had included £28m of funding for pilot schemes in the Liverpool City Region (LCR), Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

He said Housing First is a support system for homeless residents with high and complex needs, which is designed to produce a long-term solution, boost health and wellbeing and drive social integration.

Using ordinary homes, such as private rented or social rented flats, the scheme aims to find settled homes as quickly as possible with extra help to sustain an exit from homelessness in their own home.

The spokesman said Housing First will build on and support some of the UK-leading work that local authorities are already doing.

He said it has been backed by all six council leaders in the LCR including Halton’s Cllr Rob Polhill.

Mr 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.”