Burnham to pay attention to root causes of homelessness

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has announced the higher Manchester Homelessness Prevention Technique to tackle the root causes of homelessness in the region.

The draft strategy, released for public consultation, shows how the drive to end rough sleeping and homelessness will broaden within the Burnham’s second term to address the main causes of homelessness, such as low quality, insecure housing.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority will work to deliver 30,000 zero-carbon homes for social rent, having a detailed delivery plan to be published within a year. A brand new commitment to work to radically improve temporary accommodation standards has also been announced, having a focus on improved experiences for homeless families.

Launched in autumn 2021, A Bed Every Night, the city-region’s ambitious and innovative approach to tackling rough sleeping and supporting people from the streets, still regularly accommodates roughly 520 people every evening across Greater Manchester.

Building upon that vital work, the new Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy sets out a clear path for rapid action to radically reduce all forms of homelessness in the city-region, including trying to end rough sleeping. Targeted investment can lead to the development of around 300 accommodation units for those who have been sleeping rough, sited in boroughs over the city-region. Implementation of the Strategy will involve local and regional activity, and working with national government.

Burnham said: “We've reduced the amount of people sleeping rough but there is no room for complacency. The Eviction Ban can finish sooner or later and that we know there has been a boost in the number of people are in rent arrears. We have to be ready to support people and stop homelessness wherever we are able to.

“This is why the time is right to create forward Greater Manchester’s first Homelessness Prevention Strategy. As well as continuing to supply support for people sleeping rough, we have to broaden our focus towards the root reasons for homelessness. We all know the single biggest reason for homelessness in Greater Manchester is eviction from private-rented housing. We have to raise standards within the private-rented sector and provide better protection for renters. That’s why we are placing a new Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter in the centre in our plans. Alongside our resolve for build more homes for social rent, it can help us deliver our objective of good, secure homes its our residents.”

The public consultation of the new draft Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy will run until 26 June.