Homelessness Monitoring Group report launch: Affordable housing remains the key

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm today launched the annual report of the Homelessness Monitoring Group which was set up to oversee the implementation of the Homelessness Task Force report.

SCSH Director, Robert Aldridge, who is a member of the Monitoring Group welcomed the progress to date, but claimed more homes were needed if the Executive is to meet its target by 2012.

Robert Aldridge comments: "The report shows a massive amount of work has been done at local and national level by a wide range of agencies. They have set in motion the radical improvements to how we treat homeless people but there is still a long way to go.”

He added: "The crucial questions are whether we will have enough affordable houses of the right quality to meet the 2012 deadline, and whether we have the range of support needed to prevent homelessness and tackle it effectively.

It is vital that we stay on track to meet the deadline of 2012. Homelessness is about more than a roof over your head.  This requires a lot of work to make sure that we meet all the needs of homeless people – tackling their health needs, any addictions, helping them into work and providing the support that they require.”