Welsh Government urged to increase homelessness funds

THE Welsh Government is being urged to increase funding for homelessness in its Final Budget for 2020-21 to be published tomorrow.

Housing groups say it is likely that, following pledges made by the Conservatives in their General Election manifesto, the block grant for Wales will be increased in the UK Budget on March 11, and that more money should be allocated to the Housing Support Grant (HSG), which helps support people at risk of homelessness.

Established five years ago, HSG has enabled organisations like Cymorth Cymru and Welsh Women’s Aid to keep people in homes.

But since 2011 the grant has been reduced by £15m which, when inflation is applied, amounts to a £37m real terms cut.

Housing groups say the cuts have come at a time of significant increase in demand, with the number of people becoming homeless and receiving support from their council increasing by 70% between 2015 and 2019.

HSG supports 60,000 people in Wales each year who would otherwise be homeless, in abusive relationships or living in unsuitable housing.

Studies into the reduction in use of health and other services by people following intervention from HSG show that for every £1 invested in it, £2.34 is saved elsewhere in the NHS and other services.

The Housing Matters campaign to increase funding for HSG has received wide-ranging support, including from Housing Minister Julie James.

Additional funding would support the delivery of innovative methods of preventing and alleviating homelessness including Housing First.