‘Categorically not the case’ that the government has issued instructions to local authorities to end Everyone In, says Minister

Eddie Hughes reiterates MHCLG's assurance that the work of the initiative is ongoing, and that funding is continuing to support people who are in emergency accommodation

It is ‘categorically not the case’ that the government has issued instructions to local authorities to end the Everyone In initiative, Housing Minister Eddie Hughes has said.

In the Commons yesterday, Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, asked -

‘The Everyone In scheme has undoubtedly been a success and has led to incredible stories of lives being turned around in a housing first approach that I know has support from all sides of the house. However several councils have reported that government has instructed them through the terms of the rough sleeping initiative funding allocations to end the use of emergency accommodation for those sleeping rough so signalling the end of the Everyone In scheme …

So can the Minister confirm were local authorities instructed to end Everyone In? If so have the charitable and 3rd sector groups been made aware so that they can fill in the gaps …’

In response, Mr Hughes said –

‘It is categorically not the case that either charities or local councils have been instructed as she suggested, and indeed the funding through the rough sleeping initiative is continuing to fund people who are in emergency accommodation …’

NB - the Minister’s response follows the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) having said earlier this month in response to media reports that the government had told councils that Everyone In is ending –

‘The work of Everyone In is ongoing. We’ve made huge progress to bring rough sleepers off the streets during the pandemic and this work continues.

We’ve been clear with councils and partners that everyone helped into accommodation must be offered the tailored support they need to move forwards and that no one should find themselves back on the street without this.’

For more information, see Mr Hughes response to Layla Moran's question on Everyone In from Hansard.