Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Tomlinson Excerpts

Monday 22nd January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (Con)]

2. What progress has been made on piloting the Housing First approach to tackling homelessness.

[The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Sajid Javid)]

In the recent Budget, we announced £28 million to pilot Housing First for some of the country’s most entrenched rough sleepers in the west midlands, the Liverpool city region and Greater Manchester. We are continuing to work with the pilot regions to refine the scope and design, ready for launch later this year.

[Michael Tomlinson]

Ahead of the commencement of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, will the Secretary of State join me in praising the work of Routes to Roots, a local charity that helps homeless and vulnerably housed adults in Poole?

[Sajid Javid]

First, let me thank my hon. Friend for the role that he played on the Bill Committee in getting that legislation on to the statute book. It will help to prevent homelessness in Poole and elsewhere. I agree that there is a lot that individuals can do to help to end the homelessness cycle, including by getting involved with voluntary groups such as Routes to Roots in his constituency, and to make a real difference for vulnerable people.