Bishop Paul asks Government Minister for greater funding for homelessness support

Bishop Paul, speaking in the House of Lords today (18th December), called on the government to find greater funding for charities and voluntary organisations who support the homeless.

He highlighted the remarkable work done by the charities Framework Housing Association and Emmanuel House in Nottingham. 

“They do exceptional work alongside the City Council, in seeking to help the ten thousand people on the (housing) waiting list,” Bishop Paul told their Lordships. 

“But the rising demand for social care and increased homelessness has, in part, contributed to the Council issuing a Section 114 (bankruptcy) notice,” he said. 

If the Government “agree that the charitable and voluntary sector is such a key partner in addressing these needs, can the minister offer more direct funding to help the homeless in cities like Nottingham?,” he asked.

Baroness Penn, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities responded saying Bishop Paul had highlighted many different factors which exacerbated the problem of homelessness. 

One was the shortage of affordable private rented accommodation. She pointed out that at the recent Autumn Statement, the government committed to increase, “the rates of local housing allowance. Other charities and voluntary organisations do great work in this sector and the government undertook to continue to support them in this work,” she told the House.

You can watch a clip of Bishop Paul’s speech below (credit to Parliamentary TV).