Short-term supported housing
Long-term supported housing
Vulnerable Women's Project
Unsupported properties for rent
Do you need urgent help?
Tackling homelessness
Responding to rough sleepers
Service user testimonials
Impact and performance
Join our campaigns
Set up your own fundraising page
Charities call on Government to fix £1bn hole in homelessness services
The charities are warning that cuts to council budgets are leaving increasing numbers of people at risk on the streets, and calling on the Government to act now to make up the funding shortfall - or face missing its target of ending rough sleeping by 2027.
The report, Local Authority Spending on Homelessness, by WPI Economics, shows that council spending on support for single homeless people in England fell by 53% between 2008-9 and 2017-18. This means that local authorities in England are now spending almost £1bn less a year on these vital homelessness services compared to ten years ago.
Overall, more than £5bn less has been spent on services for single homeless people over the past nine years than would have been spent had funding continued at 2008-9 levels. During the same period, homelessness in England has risen dramatically, with the number of people sleeping rough now 165% higher than it was in 2010.
Single people and couples without children are the least likely to have a legal right to be housed by their council and so are the most likely to end up sleeping on the streets. Support for this group is crucial to help them find and keep accommodation, and cope with the complex problems that may be contributing to their homelessness, including poor mental health, substance use and domestic abuse.
Government cuts to funding for single homelessness services have hit hard. Until 2009 the Supporting People programme, funded by the Government, provided local authorities with ring-fenced funding for people struggling to live independently to avoid and escape homelessness. The impact of the removal of this ring-fence along with the reduction in the levels of housing-related support funding has been felt acutely by homelessness services.
The charities are warning that these cuts are leaving vulnerable people with nowhere to turn, and could be putting lives at risk. Data from Homeless Link shows a 30% fall in the number of bed spaces in accommodation projects for single homeless people, including hostels, from an estimated 50,000 in 2008 to 35,000 in 2017.
Researchers asked councils and service providers about the impact of the cuts, and found a worrying reduction in services aimed at preventing homelessness, such as family mediation and tenancy sustainment. Without early intervention services, people cannot access support until they reach crisis point, and for many this means being forced to face the dangers of sleeping rough before getting any help.
While the Government's Rough Sleeping Strategy has provided welcome additional funding for homelessness services, it falls short of replacing the lost funding identified in this research.
St Mungo's and Homeless Link are calling on the Government to use the upcoming Spending Review to redress the shortfall by investing an extra £1bn a year in homelessness services through a ring fenced grant to local authorities.
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said:
"There are too many people sleeping rough and facing homelessness in this country – we can see it every day on our streets and it is unacceptable. Local authorities have a key role in supporting people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, but they can only do so if they have enough money to fund services properly.
"Guaranteed and long-term funding for councils to prevent and resolve homelessness would be a game changer. It would allow for focused, joined-up, strategic commissioning of services that truly work. The Government have a chance to do this in the upcoming Spending Review and we urge them to do so.
"This, alongside building more genuinely affordable homes and creating a robust welfare system that adequately supports people and stops them from being locked in poverty, should be an essential part of their plan to end rough sleeping. It's only right that people have a place to call home and the support they need to keep it."
Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive of St Mungo's, said:
"This shocking billion pound a year funding gap must be a wake-up call for the Government. Councils have a crucial role to play in preventing and reducing homelessness and rough sleeping, but years of cuts have left them struggling to tackle rising homelessness with fewer and fewer resources. If the Government does not act to restore funding to previous levels, it is likely to miss its target of ending rough sleeping by 2027."
"The human cost of these cuts is all too real. The people we work with – many struggling with poor mental health, substance use or domestic violence – are often being left with no option but to sleep rough. With nearly 600 people dying on our streets or while homeless in a year, this really is a matter of life and death. The Government must use this year's Spending Review to put the money back and to turn the tide of rising homelessness. It can only do this by committing to a programme of guaranteed, long-term funding, so that everyone can find and keep a home for good."
Read the article on the Homeless Link website - charities-call-on-government-to-fix-1bn-hole-in-homelessness-services
Author: Dash Staff
Helen Banecki - volunteer case study
Working with DASH has been a highly rewarding experience, allowing me to develop my communication and office skills as well as making a positive difference to my local community.
Durham University Volunteering and Outreach Newsletter
DUVAO are an organisation which promotes community outreach and volunteering activities across the University which students are encouraged to become involved with.
Mark Reid - Trustee
Workwear Express - express their support!
Workwear Express, a local clothes supplier, have expressed their support for DASH by contributing £2,000 worth of stock for us to sell on.
Abused women's experiences of homelessness
In her report Xinran Lu explores the relationship between homelessness and domestic violence.
Homelessness Amongst Women
According to the latest data reported in March 2018, women constitute 38% of homeless single adults and 90% of homeless single parents in England.
DASH market stall
You are welcome to visit our Christmas market stall this Saturday 7th December in Market Place, Durham where we will be selling a range of donated items.
Community Homes on the Map
The Community Homes on the Map Enabler Hub will provide face-to-face support to local groups who want to provide community led housing.
DASH goes to Market
On 14th September we had our first market stall in Durham selling a range of donated products including kitchen ware, hand knitted blankets, hats & scarves and a variety of other items.
D.C.C. Climate emergency consultation
Durham County Council aim to make the county carbon neutral by 2050
Eloise - volunteer case study
I was drawn to DASH because I could see that it had a sensitive and understanding approach to the issue of homelessness
DASH Needs You!
We are looking to recruit new trustees to complement the existing DASH Management Committee - particularly people with financial experience
A Vulnerable Women's Accommodation Worker is required to work as part of a team providing accommodation and support at our project for vulnerable women with complex needs.
This innovative project provides accommodation and a supportive environment to vulnerable women who have multiple and complex needs.
To make a referral please complete the form with as much information as possible, not forgetting your contact details. We will endeavour to process your application as quickly as possible.
We want to provide residents with the opportunity to visit places in the region as a social, recreational and learning experience. This will include visits to museums, galleries, the theatre, country parks and local events and activities. Read more
Updated: 5th September, 2019
DASH have created an edible garden with the help of two local organisations Read more
Support DASH by creating your own fundraising page on our website Read more
Call us on 0191 3845073 / 0191 3845155
© 2018 DASH
If you have any concerns regarding this website and/or its contents, please contact Gary