Shapps ‘In Denial’ On Homelessness

Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey has accused Grant Shapps of failing to tackle homelessness, claiming the minister is “in denial”.  New research published by Homeless Link warned that a rising demand, combined with cuts in homelessness services could lead to a crisis situation.  Dromey said: “We knew homelessness rose by 14% and rough sleeping by 23% in 2011. Now this report shows the full failure of a complacent Housing Minister to tackle homelessness.”  Mr Dromey accused the Government of “failing the vulnerable” as the number of homeless people keeps rising and fewer of them move into jobs and into housing.  He said:  “Grant Shapps’ complacent response has been to say that homelessness remains at historically low levels. What he doesn’t say is that that is because homelessness fell 70% under Labour. Grant Shapps is in denial. He claims that tackling homelessness and rough sleeping are what first got him into politics. Since becoming Housing Minister the decisions he has made have made homelessness rise.”  Last year, the housing minister claimed it was “misleading” to link the sharp increase in homelessness with cuts in housing benefits.  Read more on 24dash.