HOMELESSNESS
Devon councillors U-turn on plans to cut homelessness prevention funding after community fight back
Devon County Council (DCC) has put plans to cut £1.5 million in homelessness prevention funding on hold after warnings it could lead to a surge in rough sleeping in the area.
The local authority announced in March it was looking to scrap the funding as part of efforts to make £45m worth of savings.
Service providers warned the cut could see five hostels close across the region and lead to more people on the streets – rough sleeping has already risen by 44% across Devon between 2021 and 2022 according to the government’s official rough sleeping count.
DCC council leader John Hart said councillors had a change of heart following a special scrutiny committee meeting where members of the public and affected services pleaded for them to halt the move.
“It’s clear to me from having listened to those who spoke passionately at our recent meeting, and the concerns from homelessness providers and others, that we need to take stock and understand more fully the impact of any proposal,” said Councillor Hart.
“While Devon County Council does not have responsibility for housing or homelessness directly, the issue of homelessness has significance across a great deal of what this council does to improve life for the people of Devon. We need to better understand the full impact of such a decision on all aspects of
