The UK government has urged all local authorities in England to house all rough sleepers, those in hostels and night shelters by the weekend – leading many to ask why it takes a worldwide Covid-19 crisis to end homelessness.
According to Crisis – a charity for homeless people – aletterwas sent to councils in England on Thursday night saying due to the“public health emergency,”the government was redoubling efforts to ensure“everybody is inside and safe by this weekend.”
These are unusual times so I’m asking for an unusual effort.
The government has yet to confirm the announcement, but Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnhamconfirmedthe existence of such a letter via social media on Friday morning.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, welcomed the“unprecedented”move, insisting that it proves ending homelessness can be achieved by 2020, if PM Boris Johnson’s administration prioritise the issue. However, Sparkes revealed that it was not clear at present what funds the government would be funnelling to councils – if any – to carry out such an undertaking.
The seismic intervention by the British state to effectively end all homelessness in the country has ledmanyto ask why it hasn't happened until now – perfectly crystalised by one person who angrilytweeted:“It’s an utter disgrace that we needed a global pandemic to do it.”
There were countless people suggesting that homelessness has been a political choice, if as it would appear it really is that easy to solve.
Jack Duncan@JackDunc1
Oh so it really is that easy after all is it... almost like letting people suffer and sleep on the streets is a political choice
The Government has written to local authorities asking them to house everyone sleeping rough or in hostels and night shelters, by the weekend. But we must make sure people aren't back on the street when this is all over 
@JackDunc1
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