Pledge to end 'Dickensian scourge' of homelessness

Rat-infested squalor: Nash House in north-west London, a disused office block which became a squat. It has now been cleared for demolition
12 April 2012

Housing minister Grant Shapps today vowed to put an end to squatting in abandoned buildings and said no one should have to live in "Dickensian

Outlining a package of government help for the homeless, he cited Nash House in Old Oak Common, a disused eight-storey office block which became a rat-infested, rubbish-strewn squat.

Releasing photographs of the squalor, he urged people to "consider the plight of people who feel they have to live in this building". He added: "They're trapped in a dangerous world of dark corners, disease and despair."

There was "no reason" for people to live in abandoned buildings, he said, thanks to the No Second Night Out project. Ministers have provided £20 million for the initiative, being piloted in London. It helped 382 people off the streets in its first six months.

Funding for councils and homelessness charities has been protected, and £42.5 million is pledged to pay for 1,500 beds, including 300 in the capital.

Squatting is also being made illegal after a series of high-profile home invasions. Mr Shapps said. "We continue to work hard to end the scourge of squatting once and for all, not just to end the totally unacceptable invasion of other people's property, but also to drive away these scenes of Dickensian destitution back to where they belong, in our history books."

However, Leslie Morphy, chief executive of charity Crisis, said: "If the Government really wants to help vulnerable and homeless squatters it should change the law so that all homeless people get the help and assistance they need - not impose a £5,000 fine and up to a year in prison because they have resorted to squatting." A ministerial working group is tasked with tackling rough sleeping, which Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged to end in London next year. An estimated 3,975 people slept rough in the capital in 2010/11, up from 3,673 the year before.

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