Rugby Lib Dems Councillors help set up task force to combat huge rise in homelessness

Rugby Liberal Democrats Councillors, Noreen New, Jerry Roodhouse and Neil Sandison have decided to take action against a staggering rise in homelessness in Rugby, by helping to set up the cross-party Homelessness Scrutiny Sub-Group and discussing tactics to deal with the problem.

The number of people sleeping rough in Rugby has rocketed by almost 80 per cent in two years - from just over 100 in 2013 to 179 in 2015 - and the council says the rise is likely to continue when official statistics reveal this year's level.

The Sub-Group has highlighted the main issues facing the town, including a large number of people losing their private sector accommodation due to mental health issues or substance misuse.A combination of high costs for accommodation, relatively low salaries and a limited supply of affordable housing has also contributed to the increase.

Rugby Borough Council has recently launched the Tenancy Ready training course to help prepare young people moving into council housing, and the Private Sector Leasing Scheme, working with private landlords to increase the housing options available to the homeless.

The sub-group will collaborate with homeless shelter charity Hope4 and other voluntary and charity organisations to re-home Rugby residents.

https://www.rugby.gov.uk/meetings/committee/58/homelessness_sub-group

http://rugbyobserver.co.uk/news/rugby-council-set-task-force-combat-huge-rise-homelessness/

ENDS