News

The government's consultation paper on its new national homelessness strategy fails to show how it would link to other initiatives, according to those working in the sector.

A total of 70 organisations have responded to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions' proposals for a national homelessness strategy.

All emphasise the importance of interaction between the strategy and other government programmes, such as Supporting People, as well as health and housing benefit policies.

A report of the responses to the consultation states: "It was stressed that the shortcomings in some services, notably housing management and social care, can reduce the effectiveness of homelessness prevention activity."

Respondents also suggested that links be made between the NHS national service frameworks and health improvement plans. Concerns were raised about how homeless people accessed health care, and the need for primary care trusts to specify how health services will be delivered to homeless people.

It was also suggested that the national strategy should have time-bound targets that link to resource allocation, and the targets should be outcome-based and take into account local circumstances.

Housing minister Lord Falconer announced last week that a new homelessness directorate will come into effect early next year and will be responsible for delivering the strategy (News, page 13, 6 December).

- Consultation on Proposals for a National Homelessness Strategy: Analysis of Responses from www.housing.dtlr.gov.uk