House our Homeless with Support Hostels/Containers For Every Council #HouseOurHomeless

We are currently seeing an ever growing number of homeless sleeping on the streets of ALL of our local towns just before the weather makes a turn.

We cannot hide from the fact we are in the middle of a national social housing crisis.

Pressure is needed to do up derelict homes and building and fill them not to mention our social housing stock increased.

Those that are eligible for social housing have to 'bid' for their new property and each will be issued a priority rating.

This can be different in different councils, so some may be on a point system of like our council, Thanet - a banding between 'A' being highest priority, and 'D' lowest.

What has caught my attention more than anything is how the priority for homelessness in many districts has gone from an A to an automatic 'C' for instance here in Thanet, leaving people on the streets or in bed and breakfast costing 4 - 5 times as much per week to the tax-payer as the rent for a bedsit or 1 bedroom flat.

We deal with those that are homeless and those facing homelessness day in day out with more rough sleepers than ever in our towns, cities and seaside areas.

We see young and old, able and disabled, those from many backgrounds or situations.

We see families torn apart, we see children infested with bed bug markings from poor quality but expensive B & B temporary accommodation.

People will be placed for months, often years, on that Band C waiting to be housed. This involves paying rent for that room at 4 - 5 times as much as the average rent for a property.

The cheapest rate being £35 per night at a B&B facility works out at £1050 pcm
Local Authority allowances would pay a maximum of £350 pcm rent for this person when in premises. A huge difference of over £600 pcm being spent awaiting a tenancy.

We are asking our Prime minister and council leaders to consider this alternative option

At around £20,000 per container that comfortably sleeps 10, this will not only provide temporary shelter while the country plays catch up on previous failures of keeping up with housing needs for a growing and ageing population.

These will allow people facing homelessness to be able to register themselves with doctors, be able to set up and access a bank account, and claim the benefits they need to get them on their feet in many cases.

These have already proven a huge success in Brighton. It will keep people rough sleeping facing enforcement notices for rough sleeping on council. It will improve the health, prospects and chances of people facing rough sleeping and give voluntary organisations like the one I volunteer with, a better chance of more effectively working with clients to support them in successful tenancies in the future. It will also save a great deal of public money as will be spent more effectively.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-28035388