Council's plea to minister over Liverpool 'homeless emergency'

Liverpool is experiencing a surge in homelessness, the city council has said

Liverpool City Council's leader has called on the government for urgent help to deal with an "unprecedented" rise in homelessness.

Liam Robinson said the cost of providing accommodation had spiralled from £250,000 to more than £19m in three years.

He told Housing Secretary Michael Gove it was exacerbated by the acceleration of decisions on refugees.

The government said it was determined to prevent homelessness.

The city council is expected to spend £19.4m - £3m more than the annual budget - in the next financial year on temporary accommodation and bed and breakfasts for the homeless.

Labour councillor Mr Robinson wrote to Mr Gove requesting additional help in a letter also signed by councillor Sarah Doyle, cabinet member for housing.

It said: "We currently have over 550 households in bed and breakfast accommodation and 250 of these are families with children.

"Our level of people sleeping rough is exacerbated as a result of the acceleration of decisions for refugees and asylum seekers by the Home Office.

"We have been advised that over 1,000 are likely to receive decisions this side of Christmas."

The letter said while the council was "committed to supporting the most vulnerable" the increasing demand and its ability to meet it was being stretched "both financially and operationally", adding it "urgently requires additional resources".

It added: "Our current homeless support grant of £1.7m does not in any way reflect the need and growing demand in Liverpool."

A Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities spokeswoman said: "We are determined to prevent homelessness before it occurs.

"That is why we are providing Liverpool City Council £3.9m through the Homelessness Prevention Grant, helping those at risk of homelessness to access the private rented sector."

She said the Renters Reform Bill would "deliver a fairer private rented sector" and would abolish Section 21 "no fault" evictions giving tenants "greater security" in their homes and empowering them to "challenge poor practice without worrying about retaliatory eviction".

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]