§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress the Social Exclusion Unit has made in reducing the number of rough sleepers. [15995]
§ Ms KeebleThe Social Exclusion Unit published a report on rough sleeping in July 1998 in which the Prime Minister set the tough target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough in England to as near to zero as possible and by at least two thirds by 2002.
The Rough Sleepers Unit (RSU) was subsequently set up to deliver the Prime Minister's target and published it's strategy "Coming in from the Cold", in December 1999, which outlined a raft of new policies and services:
helping people sleeping rough on the streets with drug, alcohol and mental health problems;helping former rough sleepers rebuild their lives through education, training and employment; andpreventing a new generation of rough sleepers particularly those leaving care, the armed forces and prison.The RSU published it's second Progress Report in summer 2001 which shows the significant impact the 'Coming in from the Cold' strategy has made.
In 1998, there were approximately 1,850 people rough sleeping in England. In June 2001, published figures indicated that approximately 703 people were sleeping rough, (357 in London, and 346 outside of London). This represents a 62 per cent. reduction.
The Rough Sleepers Unit is currently carrying out research and consulting with organisations and individuals that impact on the strategy, with a view to developing a future strategy that will keep the number of rough sleepers as near to zero as possible.