Work to support our homeless

I write in response to a letter in your paper last week from Ray Chapman of the Horsham Labour Party with the title ‘Tackle Empty Homes issue’.

This included a statement that ‘a recent freedom of information submitted by the Labour Party had identified that there were 47 homeless people in this District and that there were 1548 empty homes in Horsham District’.

The actual figures are four rough sleepers and 373 empty homes.

As the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection I am of the view that even four rough sleepers is too many. In exceptional circumstances this is a lifestyle choice but for those that want support we have invested in the region of £6m in temporary accommodation in recent years, provided permanent housing solutions during the Covid pandemic for those without a roof above their heads and worked closely with charities such as Turning Tides, Horsham Matters and the Salvation Army amongst others to provide options.

When it comes to the 373 empty homes, what Mr Chapman’s letter failed to explain was that this figure did not take into account properties empty for six months or less due to an ongoing property sale or probate case for example. (This is the method of reporting used across the rest of the Country). The Council ‘s empty homes team are in regular contact with the owners of empty homes to work with them to bring them to a habitable standard and back into use with the support of advice and grants.

CLLR TRICIA YOUTAN HDC Council Member for Itchingfield, Slinfold and

Warnham Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection

Chart Way, Horsham