Localism Agenda 'Spells Threat to Homelessness Organisations'

Changes to funding and policy in housing could threaten the existence of essential homelessness organisations, housing experts from Middlesex University are warning. Speaking on homelessness, Dr Erin Sanders, of Middlesex University’s Social Policy Research Centre, echoes the concerns of many in the field who are worried about the future of third sector organisations, which offer vital services to vulnerable people. She said: “The move towards commissioning and the localism agenda could spell the end of smaller homelessness organisations, which provide such a vital service.” It is feared a by-product of the funding and decision making powers devolved from central to local government by the focus on localism could be the disappearance of smaller organisations which do valuable work but are unable to offer the economies of scale of the bigger providers of similar services. Read more on 24dash.