Forum Topic

Homeless  and £2 billion

According to Shelter in December 2019 there were 320,000 homeless people in the UK of which 135,000 are children, but those figures exclude the 'hidden homeless' and the actual number of the homeless is far greater.Recently the Salvation Army and LB Redbridge did a JV and built a 42 self contained flats property for £5 million.So £2 billion could pay to build 4,000 new apartment blocks x 42 flats = 168,000 new homes for the homeless and those currently living in shocking temporary accommodation.In a caring and civilised society we should  ensure that we get our priorities right and that homes are provided for those living without a home or in appalling conditions.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2370d22 Comments

I think a rich country such as the UK can both house the homeless and promote public health through cycling and walking iniatives. J. K. Galbraith put it well when he wrote about 'private affluence and public squalor'.

David McLoughlin ● 2370d

That would be the Utopian ideal, sadly the Homeless appear to be losing out, as always... can't help but wonder if the Homeless were polled how they would vote for £2 billion to be spent, especially the parents of the 135,000 children ?Our social conscience is not alive and well and urgently needs a health check

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

Whose social conscience? Surely the one group who lack this conscience are the MPs that make up the party that has governed for the last decade. Social housing is a local council responsibility. Councils have slashed housing budgets as they struggle to sustain social care budgets. They have been caught between brutal funding cuts and lack of central government strategy on non-NHS care. Put the blame on the massive rise in homelessness slap on the desks of those MPs.

Alan Clark ● 2369d

£2 billion for cycling and all the associated benefits No, but it seems 100's of £ millions for Brexit preparations which are nowhere near concluded yes.

Matthew Swain ● 2369d

My 'our social conscience' comment was inclusive. I'd also put the blame on some pressure groups as to where and how funds are allocated, I'd also point out that there are central Government financial incentives to Local Councils for pushing through specific projects. Therefore not an entirely level or transparent playing field.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

100's of £ millions is substantially less than £2 billion, as far as Brexit is concerned and not yet concluded, perhaps the Coronavirus pandemic has put a spanner in those works ? Tell me Matthew, are you comfortable with so many homeless adults and children in the UK ? Perhaps the £2 billion could be split between the Homeless and the project it's currently destined for - £1 billion could provide c.84,000 new self contained flats.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

We have won the argument. We are mainstream now. Not the lunatic fringe you and your friends have always made us out to be. All the things we have been saying about the benefits of cycling and the need for safer space have been accepted, turned into policy and about to be implemented swiftly.  It’s not the money you need to be worried about. That had already been announced in February.  It is the statutory guidance for HMG via DfT to tell Councils to get on with it or else they will take control of public highways. Only 7 days notice required for schemes that will endure for 18 months. A new Cycling Commissioner with inspection powers. Higher standards demanded for proper separation, not paint in the road. And even hints of a change in legislation to better protect cyclists; think presumed liability for drivers and you are on the right lines. And of course the messaging that this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the transport mix for a greener and healthier future for our country. Check out how many people die each year through obesity-related illnesses and air pollution if you think that is a waste of money. If you don’t like all of this then there is no point getting upset with us now. Shout at the government. Vote against them in the next local and national elections if you don’t like their policies. Your zeal for the homeless is very welcome though and I along with many others will be supportive of any lobbying efforts you want to put in. I am sure Ruth Cadbury will be supportive of efforts to persuade the government to increase budgets for social care. If you think £2bn is a lot then you will find some of the other pots of money allocated to expenditure mind-boggling. Just look up how much a motorway junction upgrade costs for instance. I’m sure the homeless would vote for a flat for their children instead of all manner of other things including the Silvertown tunnel, Trident, Brexit etc.

Paul Campbell ● 2369d

Think you might be out by a factor of 10. Sorry to disappoint if using billion as 1,000,000,000 (usual American interpretation)

Jeffrey Cope ● 2369d

I agree..'something should be done' about offering the homeless decent accomodation and bandying huge sums of money sounds impressive. After you build houses,that's when the investment begins, not ends.There are a myriad of on-costs as well as the initial development.

Keith Iddon ● 2369d

Social Conscience is sadly missing on here but I'm not surprised just disappointed.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

As Jeffrey Cope states the numbers are well out.  £12,000 per flat? Even without land costs you are looking at 10 times that.

Philip Coe ● 2369d

Why do you think it’s missing? I certainly think that UK homelessness is appalling and shameful for a first world country. It has definitely got worse over recent years. And sitting just out of sight are the invisible homeless - sleeping in cars, sofa surfing, etc. It is terrible. But my point is that it is also elective, that is the last 10 years of government have decided not to address homelessness, have decided to implement policies that add to homelessness and prioritise other spending or not raising more to address this issue. Conscience decision making.

Alan Clark ● 2369d

It's funny how pointing out the fiscal facts and the continuing responsibilities involved when it comes to providing sustainable services gets you accused of having a lack of social conscience.I would have thought the opposite true.

Keith Iddon ● 2369d

Messrs Hope and CoePerhaps read below link:-https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/council-becomes-first-in-london-to-build-shelter-for-homeless-people-with-no-access-to-benefits-65189

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

Read the link I posted at 13.07 hrs

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

Loraine, I was merely pointing out you error in mathematics, not your moral judgement. Calm down please.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2369d

Tell me Loraine are you comfortable with £4 billion having been spent on Brexit when there are so many homeless in the UK.The UK Ferry case alone cost £33 million,  quite a few self contained flats lets along £4billion which I note is substantially more that £2billion for actual infra.

Matthew Swain ● 2369d

Should I merely point out your grammatical error ? Anyway just for giggles what was my error in mathematics ? Happy to be corrected.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2369d

What is 4,OOO x 5,000,000?

Keith Iddon ● 2369d

Thanks Keith.Loraine I apologise for my typing error if it offends you (I had seen it after posting)Your mathematical error would have great ramifications should you attempt to implement it on the basis of the funding proposed.My error is based on the use of one digit which I hope you recognise.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2369d

I’d question the idea that Brexit efforts have so far cost hundreds of millions of pounds. One study cited 4.4 billion. But Bloomberg adds in GDP, exchange rate, inward investment costs and suggests 140 billion (so far). But what’s a few tens of millions? We’ve bigger things to worry about. Wait. No we don’t. Brexit is still happening this year. No pesky flu bug will derail us. Breakfast means breakfast. That’s what we need to get the economy back on its feet. Happy days.

Alan Clark ● 2369d

Is there any correlation between commercial lettings rates and private rental rates?

David Roberts ● 2369d