Cuts to housing support will put vulnerable at risk

Wednesday 26th October 2011

A Local Government Information Unit survey of 139 local authorities sought views on [cuts to Supporting People (SP)][1]. Three-quarters of respondents had seen their SP budgets cut and almost half were making the savings by reducing the levels of service offered.

Local government officers feel there are major financial and social benefits from investing in these services, the LGiU report, Promoting Independence: the future of housing related support, adds.

Andy Sawford, chief executive of LGiU, said: ‘All the evidence shows that this (SP programmes) leads to healthier and happier lives, and less cost to the state in the long term.’

The report urges national government to prioritise support for local community budgets, and calls on councils to recognise the importance of preventative support services. It also highlighted that work of some councils, such as the London Borough of Bexley, which had been able to mitigate the impact of cuts on frontline services through innovative service models.