Homelessness Growing in Rugby
October 10, 2004 7:21 PM
Homelessness is increasing
Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Rugby Borough Council, has highlighted the increasing problem of homelessness in Rugby despite more and more housing been built around the borough.
He said:
"A recent report by the Borough Council pointed towards 'family breakdown, which will result in smaller more numerous households'. It went on to state that that the Council 'is less likely to meet their needs in the housing market'. The Council also stated in another report about single homeless people that '70% of applications occur because of parental eviction or inability to stay with friends'.
If you go and talk with the voluntary sector about the growing problem with houses of multiple occupation where families are living in one room, they will tell you about the drug related and mental health issues that are also a main concern; and that the age that this is all happening is getting lower, with individuals as young as 14 becoming homeless.
There is in my view an inability by statutory agencies in this Borough to grasp this nettle and tackle the problems associated with being roofless. There is a need to work in genuine and open partnership with each other and this must include the voluntary sector. Investment is needed in prevention.
Shelter, a national charity that campaigns on homelessness, stated in a recent report that joint working is key to tackling the problems associated with modern homelessness. As a Borough we should be starting to build truly affordable housing using modern ideas such as used in Shropshire in both the urban and especially the rural areas. We need also to remove the stigma that surrounds rented accommodation. If we do not make a start now then we will continue to see increasing levels of homelessness and its associated problems. The Conservative party at its recent conference talked a lot about action. Here is an opportunity for a Conservative-led council to take action before it's too late."
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