Liberal Democrats Publish Plan to End Rough Sleeping in Kent & Medway
Building secure homes which are fit for the future is at the heart of the Liberal Democrats' plan for a brighter future. A Liberal Democrat government will tackle the housing crisis by ensuring that 300,000 new homes are built per year, including 100,000 social homes for rent.
Alan Bullion, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rainham and Gillingham said "Liberal Democrats have set out a bold plan to end rough sleeping within five years, spanning social housing, welfare, local authority funding and legal changes.
Nobody should have to spend a night sleeping on the streets across our towns. It is the most shameful example of the failure of this Conservative Government to provide a safety net in Medway for those who need it. The Conservatives are sitting on their hands, failing to protect the most vulnerable people in society. They haven't built enough social housing, their benefit cuts have made poverty worse, and they blocked Liberal Democrat efforts to repeal the cruel, Dickensian law that criminalises people just for sleeping rough.
The plan will build a brighter future by ending rough sleeping within five years, ensuring that everyone has a decent home so they can live with dignity. The other parties pay lip service to this goal, but only the Liberal Democrats have the clear and credible policies to actually achieve it.
Whether renting or buying, too many people across the country - people who work hard and play by the rules - are struggling to afford good homes in in the right location. "
Please see the attached pdf document 2018 'Rough Sleepers in Kent Report' which gives a breakdown of the number of people sleeping rough across Medway. https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/91361/Rough-sleepers-in-Kent-report.pdf
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Liberal Democrats have announced a package of measures to prevent rough sleeping, including:
- Scrapping the Vagrancy Act
- Introducing a "somewhere safe to stay" duty on local authorities to provide immediate emergency accommodation
- Abolishing Section 21 "no fault" evictions
- Increasing Local Housing Allowance payments
- Providing accommodation and support for survivors of domestic abuse
- Extending the "move on" period for refugees from 28 days to 56
The latest government figures show that, under the Conservatives, the number of rough sleepers in England on a single night has risen by 31% since 2015, to 4,677. In 2018, 1,320 people were prosecuted under the Vagrancy Act, according to the homelessness charity Crisis.
Additional Notes for Editors
ALAN BULLION
Alan Bullion works in London for a publishing company and commutes from High Brooms station, where he successfully campaigned for a second ticket machine, as well as more capacity and fairer fares for rail and bus travellers. Alan is a former school Governor and pupil of Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, and is chair of its Alumni society.
Alan has long been active on a number of issues, such as defending recreation and sports facilities against development. Delivering additional school places and keeping social care to support older people.
Alan has focused on issues such as safer streets and 20mph zones, especially around schools and building up care at local hospitals. Alan also is a great believer in life-long learning, having done degrees with the Open University and Southampton as a mature student.