UK government for homelessness in 2020, a respond to a double threat: coronavirus and cold weather
Poverty has been a major problem in the UK since more than 280,000 people have been recorded homeless in England in 2019 (Shelter, 2019). 5,000 of them are rough sleeping, as they did not find a shelter and end up spending the night in the streets. Rough sleeping is more than ever an issue needed to be solved during this covid winter. Temperatures at night go largely below zero and homeless who are rough sleeping are at high risk. In addition, many night shelters remain closed because of the current pandemic. This article will focus on the actions taken during this particular winter, in response to the double threat of coronavirus and cold weather. The goal is to spread hope and show what is possible with funding and determination.
Every winter in the UK is known to be particularly cold, with average temperatures of 6 °C, falling under 0°C at night. That is the reason why many homelessness organizations were apprehending the coming of winter (BBC, 2020). The UK government quickly responded to these fears in October 2020 and implemented an action plan to protect homeless people from both coronavirus and cold weather.
Included in this package of support, the Cold Weather Fund (CWF). First launched in 2018, this program has been enhanced this year and will run from November 2020 to March 2021 (Gov.uk, 2020). Funds of 10 million pounds have been given by the UK government to support councils in the provision of accommodations for homeless people, since most night shelters are closed because of the spread of coronavirus.
In addition, 2 million pounds have also been given to charities and other community groups that are not commissioned by local authorities, in order to find a roof for as many rough sleepers as possible this winter (Homeless Link, 2020). Temporary accommodations such as Bed and Breakfasts will be provided to as many homeless as possible.
To finish, in order to respond to the current pandemic and still be able to help as many homeless as possible, government has introduced guidance to help reopening shelters with the best sanitary conditions possible: rules for staffs and volunteers of night shelters to keep everyone safe from both coronavirus and cold weather.
All these new measures have been added to the 700 million dollars that the government is already spending on temporary accommodations for homeless households, grands to charities, guidance of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and other expense this year. 2020 has for sure been the year in which government has been the most active to tackle poverty, even with an additional problem: coronavirus. This is great news, and it proves that a lot is possible with motivation of government, local authorities, shelters staffs and all of us, in the hope of reducing efficiently homelessness.
Sources:
GOV.UK. 2021. £105 million to keep rough sleepers safe and off the streets during coronavirus pandemic. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/105-million-to-keep-rough-sleepers-safe-and-off-the-streets-during-coronavirus-pandemic> [Accessed 19 February 2021]. GOV.UK. 2021. COVID-19: provision of night shelters. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-provision-of-night-shelters> [Accessed 19 February 2021]. GOV.UK. 2021. Rough sleepers to be helped to keep safe this winter. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rough-sleepers-to-be-helped-to-keep-safe-this-winter> [Accessed 19 February 2021]. Homeless Link. 2021. Homeless Link awards Cold Weather Fund grants to 51 specialist charities. [online] Available at: <https://www.homeless.org.uk/connect/blogs/2020/jan/16/homeless-link-awards-cold-weather-fund-grants-to-51-specialist-charities> [Accessed 19 February 2021]. Homeless Link. 2021. 2019 Cold Weather Fund Application Guidance. [online] Available at: <https://www.homeless.org.uk/connect/blogs/2019/oct/11/2019-cold-weather-fund-application-guidance> [Accessed 19 February 2021]. Shelter England. 2021. 280,000 people in England are homeless, with thousands more at risk - Shelter England. [online] Available at: <https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/280,000_people_in_england_are_homeless,_with_thousands_more_at_risk> [Accessed 19 February 2021].