Stephen Morgan MP is calling on the Government to commit that no one in Portsmouth or across our country will spend this winter on the streets, with rough sleeping in the South East having increased by 190% since 2010.
With many night shelters closed because of Covid-19 restrictions, and fears there will be thousands of fewer beds available across the country, the Member of Parliament is working to ensure everyone has a safe, Covid-secure place to stay this winter.
Research by charity HomelessLink found one third of homeless organisations and local authorities expect to see a decrease in capacity this winter.
Despite efforts by the council and local voluntary groups, in Portsmouth, rough sleeping is now over five times higher than what it was a decade ago.
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, said,
“We are now at a particularly dangerous period for rough sleepers in our city, with temperatures expected to be now dropping to below freezing in some areas.
“Government and local authorities, including our own, must continue to do all they can to ensure rough sleepers get the support they need to keep them safe.
“It is a moral disgrace that homelessness still exists in a country like our own and to see both locally and nationally homelessness rising over the last ten years under this government.”
Thangam Debbonaire MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, added,
“Even before the crisis, rough sleeping was a shameful sign of government failure.
“This winter, without the last resort of night shelters, rough sleeping is more desperate than ever.
“The Government promised to end rough sleeping for good – it must ensure everyone has a safe, Covid-secure place to stay this winter.”
Earlier this year, Mr Morgan previously raised his concerns on the need for better support for veterans who are homeless, and has vowed to work with others to end homelessness in our country.
