2 January 2019
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has offered her support to a new Government strategy aimed at ending rough sleeping in the next decade. The cross-Departmental £100 million strategy aims to halve rough sleeping by 2022 with a focus on preventing people becoming homeless as well as creating local authority-run hubs to provide dedicated help for people in need of urgent assistance. The MP has written to Housing Secretary offering her support for the national strategy as well as raising the issue of two men who have recently died in Malvern whilst rough sleeping. Harriett commented: “I have been briefed on the death of a man in Malvern on Christmas Day. Investigations are underway with regard to this specific case but my thoughts are with his friends and family, and anyone who has been affected by this news. “I know from my own casework that some people who live on the streets have complex needs and Government and local authorities must continue to work together to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society. “This cross-departmental £100 million strategy will aim to focus on preventing people from becoming homeless and I welcome plans locally by Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils to develop their own plans including the appointment of a dedicated homelessness prevention officer. “I will be meeting both with the police and the council in the coming weeks to identify what plans are in place to accelerate this strategy and will offer my help as it evolves.”