Homelessness charities call for second Everyone In scheme in England

Government urged to revive policy thought to have saved hundreds of lives in first lockdown

As a second lockdown looms over England, homelessness charities and councillors have urged the government to bring back a scheme thought to have saved the lives of hundreds of rough sleepers during the first.

About 15,000 homeless people were provided emergency accommodation in hotels in March and April this year as part of the “everyone in” policy. According to one study, the scheme saved an estimated 266 people from death.

As details of England’s second lockdown appeared in the media and on reporters’ Twitter feeds on Saturday, homeless campaigners issued a fresh plea for a return to the policy.

“With a new lockdown imminent, the UK government must bring ‘Everyone In’ back in England with ring-fenced funding for local councils to provide Covid-safe accommodation for anyone experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping,” said Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis.

This was echoed by Chris Wood, Shelter’s assistant director of research, who added that “this time” there must be “clear guidance to ensure it is everyone. No one should fall through the cracks this winter”.

When prime minister Boris Johnson eventually announced the “tougher national restrictions” during a Downing Street briefing on Saturday evening, no details of additional support for rough sleepers were offered, or requested in question from the press and public.

Peter Apps, deputy editor of Inside Housing, tweeted that the issue was also “notable by absence” in a series of key questions and answers the housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, shared following the announcement of the new restrictions.

THREAD

1. As the Prime Minister said earlier – new measures will take effect from Thursday – the latest guidance is available online: https://t.co/zp0YyimR5J

I know many people will have questions – here are answers to some key ones for @MHCLG:

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) October 31, 2020

Tom Copley, London’s deputy mayor for housing, said: “This is the crucial question which as of tonight we have no answer to. Rough sleepers are particularly vulnerable to Covid.

“Everyone In, pioneered in London, was world leading, and resulted in very low Covid infection rates amongst homeless people here. Now we need Everyone In 2.”

He called on ministers to set out very quickly what additional funding they would provide to enable rough sleepers to be helped into Covid-safe accommodation as during the first lockdown.

Keiron Williams, the leader of Southwark council in south London, added: “To stay at home you have to have a home, yet the government is completely silent on support for rough sleepers during this lockdown.”

He also called on the government to suspend its no recourse to public funds rules, which prevent people accessing social security and welfare because of their immigration status.

Last month doctors signed a letter warning that rough sleepers in the UK would die without a repeat of the “everyone in” policy adopted in March and April. Homeless people faced a dilemma between staying outside or squeezing into crowded shelters where Covid protection measures will be limited, the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of General Practitioners told ministers.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for comment.

Contributor

Aaron Walawalkar

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Homelessness on rise, say charities
Official statistics show 12% increase in applicants in last quarter, prompting worry that it could become a trend

Randeep Ramesh

09, Dec, 2010 @6:40 PM

Article image
Charities warn of refugee homelessness crisis in England this winter
People granted right to remain could end up sleeping rough in makeshift camps after accelerated Home Office evictions

Sammy Gecsoyler and Diane Taylor

03, Oct, 2023 @10:08 AM

Article image
Thousands of rough sleepers still unhoused in England, say charities
Councils call for more funds in order to meet government request for emergency shelter

Amelia Gentleman

30, Mar, 2020 @5:24 PM

Article image
Keep England rough sleeping scheme or face surge, ministers told
Expert group says only way to honour rough sleeping pledge is to maintain extra £82m a year funding

Kevin Rawlinson

27, Jul, 2021 @12:42 PM

Article image
Homelessness charities demand missing £5m from Boris Johnson

Charities fear London mayor has diverted £5.3m of government funds pledged to rough sleepers to other unspecified purposes

David Brindle

09, Apr, 2012 @10:39 AM

Article image
Cuts mean homelessness set to rise, say charities
Some 1,700 rough sleepers already on streets could be joined by many more following hostel bed cutbacks

Patrick Butler

17, Feb, 2011 @3:22 PM

Benefit caps will tip poor into homelessness, warn charities
Critics fear changes to housing benefit, designed to save £1.8bn, would make central London unaffordable to anyone on a low income

Amelia Gentleman

24, Jun, 2010 @6:30 AM

Article image
Bristol pioneers tap-to-donate scheme to help prevent homelessness
Contactless card readers across city centre will raise money for charities tackling crisis

Steven Morris

18, Sep, 2019 @2:49 PM

Article image
Budget 2020 checklist: what to expect from the chancellor
How the chancellor can offset the worst affects of the coronavirus fallout, from motoring to welfare, pensions to Brexit

Larry Elliott and Ben Quinn

11, Mar, 2020 @6:00 AM

Article image
English councils can offer cash for rough sleepers to get Covid jabs, says minister
Eddie Hughes says local authorities can use part of £28m protect and vaccinate scheme to incentivise jabs

Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

11, Jan, 2022 @1:30 PM