Council leader welcomes National Plan to End Homelessness
Wirral Council’s leader has today welcomed the launch by the government of a bold new National Plan to End Homelessness to support the most vulnerable in our society.
Wirral has also been selected to participate in the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots (EARPS) programme, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
This will focus is on families who have been placed in bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation for longer than the national six-week statutory threshold and is a key priority to ensure children and families are not left in unsuitable accommodation for extended periods.
The Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness is backed by £3.5 billion of investment.
As the coldest months of the year settle in and Christmas fast approaches, for many, the harsh reality of homelessness becomes harder than ever – whether for someone bedding down on the street, or children struggling in temporary accommodation. Currently across the country a family is being made homeless or threatened with homelessness every five minutes.
The National Plan to End Homelessness has three key pledges to be achieved by the end of this parliament:
- To halve the number of long-term rough sleepers, end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families and prevent more households from becoming homeless in the first place.
- It will be underpinned by clear, ambitious goals for lasting change, including a duty on public services to work together to prevent homelessness.
- A boost to the supply of good-quality temporary homes, and £3.5 billion - a £1 billion funding boost over and above previous commitments - to support rough sleeping and support services.
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
This is really a significant announcement and will help us continue to tackle homelessness in our borough, particularly helping families and children who should have a safe place to stay and the stability of a home as well as helping people before they end up homeless.
Being selected as one of 20 local authorities to participate in the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots (EARPS) programme will help us ensure children and families are not left in unsuitable accommodation for extended periods by reducing the use of B&B accommodation, prioritising families who have been there for longer than the national six-week statutory threshold.
Wirral is also receiving an additional funding as part of the Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) top-up for 2025/26 which will strengthen local efforts to prevent homelessness, focusing on supporting individuals and households at risk before they reach crisis point.
This also comes as members of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee prepare to consider the new Wirral Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-30 when they meet on Tuesday December 16.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:
Homelessness is one of the most profound challenges we face as a society, because at the heart, it’s about people. Families deserve stability, children need a safe place to grow, and individuals simply want the dignity of a home.
This strategy is shaped by the voices of those who’ve lived through homelessness and the frontline workers who fight tirelessly to prevent it.
Through our new strategy we can build a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated. With record investment, new duties on public services, and a relentless focus on accountability, we will turn ambition into reality.
