Charities warn of ‘devastating’ cost of £5m in cuts
Proposals to cut £5 million a year from homeless funding will have a “devastating” impact for the county’s most vulnerable people, charities have warned.
As people around the country face the worst cost of living crisis in decades Kent County Council (KCC) has been warned by Porchlight that withdrawing funding for Kent Homeless Connect (KHC) service will have a huge “human cost”.
KHC helps rough sleepers find housing, jobs and health appointments, but the service could be stopped by KCC on September 30 due to “severe financial challenges” caused by the Covid pandemic.
The county council is forecast to make £100 million of cuts over the next three years, with the KHC costing £15 million during the same period as it prioritises other frontline services.
Porchlight chief executive Mike Barrett said: “KCC faces
some very difficult decisions to balance its budget, but we are committed to doing everything we can to highlight the human cost of cutting this vital service.”
Maidstone Homeless Care charity manager Matt Lamb says they are expecting to see a “dramatic increase” in people needing help.
He said: “Depending on how the proposed cuts are managed, that impact could be felt almost overnight.
“Our food bank has already seen the effects of the cost of living increase with a monthly average of 314 food parcels being issued to those who need it since the beginning of 2022.
Several Kent councils, including Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, remain in ongoing talks with County Hall to find a workable long-term solution.
The Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter, which supports homeless people, said: “While MBC are housing the majority of homeless people, there are still issues that need to be addressed.
“There are people in temporary accommodation with limited or no cooking facilities.
“There has been an increase in people having to choose between paying rent and bills or food.
“These people are potentially the future homeless.”
Residents are being asked to share their views on possible cutsbyJune6.
Contact KHCconsultation@ kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 to offer your views.