Homelessness fears as Brent Council unleashes cuts
Charities warn of increased homelessness as government cuts and harsher assessments leave claimants without support
COMMUNITY leaders warned of a rise in homelessness if the effects of government cuts are not mitigated.
During a debate, at the new �9.2 million St Mungo’s hostel, in Pound Lane, Willesden, the panel heard how easy it is to become homeless.
Freddie Still, an advocate and former client at St Mungo’s, was made homeless after he was kicked off Job Seekers Allowance for being late for an appointment subsequently losing his housing benefit.
Martin Cheeseman, Brent Council’s director of housing and community care, warned: “There will be a direct impact on (homeless charities) St Mungo and Cricklewood Homeless Concern (CHC) and with people under 35 not being allowed to claim housing benefit for a single room it will be very hard.”
You may also want to watch:
It is expected people will be forced to move out of London to cheaper rented accommodation as the new government caps come-in.
However there are fears that for substance abusers and people with mental health issues homelessness could happen.
Most Read
- 1 Residents anger as fourth gambling casino approved in Willesden street
- 2 Brent gang members convicted of shooting a man in Enfield
- 3 Tokyo Olympics: Brondesbury Park pupils wish swimmer Tom Dean luck
- 4 Fury as Brent's planning committees approves 'another high-rise' hotel in Wembley
- 5 Petition against LTNs in Cricklewood exceeds 1,000 signatures
- 6 Brent MP order out of Commons after accusing Prime Minister of lying 'over and over again'
- 7 Traffic disruptions in Brent from July 26 to August 1
- 8 Wembley: Fan robbed of watch after Euro 2020 final
- 9 Brent motorists hit with 2,633 blue badge penalty notices in 2020
- 10 Kilburn residents forced to flee homes after flash floods
Danny Maher, CEO at CHC, said: “We are just too aware of the doom and gloom ahead of us, but we just look to the elected representatives to try and make sure it doesn’t get too bad.”
While Cllr Bobby Thomas, Labour’s lead member for housing and customer services, said Brent’s low homeless figures and facilities were reasons to be cheerful.
CllrAnn John, Brent Council leader, sent a clear message as she battles a �100m budget cut.
She said: “We won’t be a bargain bucket council, we won’t be giving out green stamps and we won’t be joining a super council.”
