URGENT UPDATE: North Devon MP Ian Roome has issued a powerful call for the UK Government to provide immediate and substantial support for the region’s homeless population. His comments come on the heels of the Government’s announcement of £9.1 million allocated for homelessness support across the South West, highlighting the pressing need for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
Roome emphasized that despite the North Devon Council‘s commendable efforts in assisting the homeless, more comprehensive government backing is essential. Recent statistics reveal that the council managed a higher number of homelessness approaches from January to March 2023 compared to Exeter, yet placed fewer individuals into temporary accommodation. This disparity underscores the challenges facing local authorities as they strive to address an escalating crisis.
“The council is doing everything they can, but they can’t do it alone,” Roome stated. He noted that while the council aims to minimize expenditures on temporary housing—such as hotels and bed and breakfasts—they are also innovatively utilizing a council tax premium on second homes. This approach is designed to repurpose properties and fund vital local services.
Roome poignantly expressed the human impact of the homelessness crisis, stating, “It’s heart-breaking that families and children in North Devon will face this winter without a safe, warm place to call home.” He called for a robust homelessness strategy from the government that empowers councils, particularly the Liberal Democrat-run North Devon Council, with the resources necessary to transition people from temporary accommodation to permanent housing solutions.
The urgency of the situation is further illustrated by the data from October 2023, indicating that approximately 2,147 North Devon households were registered with Devon Home Choice. The classification system ranks applicants from Band A to E based on urgency, with Band A representing emergency situations. Alarmingly, around 23% of those in the higher-need bands of A to D fall into Band B or above, highlighting the critical need for immediate action.
As the crisis deepens, national statistics reveal a record high of nearly 170,000 children living in temporary accommodation across England. Local councils are projected to face a staggering £2.8 billion bill for temporary accommodations in 2024-25, a significant increase from £2.3 billion last year.
Roome reiterated the necessity for the government to commit to building 150,000 social homes annually and abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions. He concluded with a firm resolution, stating, “Our housing team works hard on prevention, but high rents, limited one-bed supply, and under-35 rules are boxing people out of options.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the community watches closely for the government’s next moves in addressing this urgent housing crisis. The need for immediate action has never been more evident, as families in North Devon face an uncertain winter.