A new homelessness task force is to be created in the Liverpool City Region to accelerate action to prevent and reduce rough sleeping. Earlier this year, the government awarded the Combined Authority (CA) £8.3m to tackle homelessness as part of its new three-year funding settlement. The cash is in addition to the £10.2m initially announced as part of the city region’s integrated settlement.
Additional Funding and Task Force Launch
If approved by CA leaders next week, a further £2m will be allocated to the task force, which is set to launch in autumn. The task force will partner local authorities, health, criminal justice and delivery partners behind a shared programme of action. Its goal is to significantly reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Liverpool City Region by shifting the focus from crisis response to proactive prevention and long-term impact.
The task force is a commitment in Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s 2024 manifesto. It will bring together experts from across sectors to take a more joined-up approach to preventing homelessness. Funding has also been allocated to continue the CA’s Housing First programme and extend delivery of assertive outreach services for the next three years, with professionals actively seeking out homeless people on the streets and in hostels to provide support.
Metro Mayor’s Statement
Mr Rotheram said: “A safe, secure home is the foundation for everything else in life – your health, your education, your job and your future. I believe everyone deserves that security. But for too many people across our region, that’s sadly not the reality. Through devolution, we’ve been given the tools, and the trust, to do things differently. Through Housing First, more than 300 people in our region now have a place to call home, with more than 70% sustaining their tenancies. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved – but I know there’s more work to do.”
He added: “We’ve always been a region that looks after our own. We’re the first to put an arm around someone in their moment of need, and I don’t believe anyone wants to see people forced to sleep rough or without a place to call home. That’s why I’m launching this task force – to tackle the root causes of homelessness and give more people the security and support they need to build a better future. For too long, too many people have only received support once they’ve reached crisis point. But we shouldn’t wait for someone to fall before we reach out a helping hand – we want to be there to steady them while they’re still on their feet.”
Task Force Leadership and Membership
The proposed task force will be chaired by Cllr Graham Morgan, cabinet member for housing and regeneration. Membership will include senior officers from the city region’s six local authorities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Integrated Care Board, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the CA. There will also be support for the regional Accommodation for Ex-Offenders service, and local authority Housing Options officer roles to help lower demand for supported housing.
The current Integrated Care Board specialist housing roles will also be supported over the next three years. Liverpool City Council will receive £4.7m over the next three years for various services aimed at reducing demand on supported housing.
Council Leader’s Comment
Cllr Morgan said: “Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home. This new task force will bring partners together from across the city region to tackle the root causes of homelessness, strengthen prevention and ensure support reaches people before they reach crisis point. By working together, we can create lasting change and help more people build brighter, more stable futures. Homelessness is not inevitable and we should not accept it as a fact of life.”
