New Task Force Established to Combat Homelessness in Merseyside

The UK Government has announced a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness, committing £3.5 billion across England. This initiative includes the establishment of a new task force in the Liverpool City Region, specifically aimed at tackling the growing issue of homelessness in areas such as Wirral.

According to the latest review, nearly 5,900 individuals in Wirral sought assistance for homelessness, highlighting a significant increase in demand for support services. The review, which will be discussed at the economy, regeneration, and housing committee on December 16, 2023, reveals that homelessness in the borough has risen by 16% and is projected to increase by an additional 8% by 2041.

Government Support and Local Strategy

The government’s plan, unveiled on December 11, 2023, aims to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers, eliminate the use of bed and breakfast accommodations for families, and prevent future homelessness. Wirral has been selected as a pilot area for this initiative, targeting the high number of families currently housed in temporary B&B settings due to a lack of alternatives.

Councillor Paula Basnett emphasized the importance of this announcement, stating, “This is really a significant announcement and will help us continue to tackle homelessness in our borough.” The review highlighted that rising private rents and a shortage of social housing have created “caseload bottlenecks” in both temporary accommodation and supported housing.

The report also noted alarming trends within the homeless population in Wirral, with higher rates of mental and physical health conditions. Notably, 14.4% of individuals experiencing homelessness had previously faced similar situations, nearly double the national and regional averages.

Challenges and Proposed Solutions

Evictions account for nearly 60% of homelessness cases between 2023 and 2024, with family exclusion cited as a persistent driver, representing 24.5% of cases. As temporary accommodation costs continue to rise—estimated at £3.2 million between April 2024 and March 2025, up £300,000 from the previous year—the average stay in B&Bs has reached 80.4 days, with some households remaining in temporary accommodations for over 42 days.

To effectively address these issues, the proposed policy includes the establishment of a new homelessness partnership. This partnership will consist of senior council officers and community leaders to provide oversight in conjunction with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The emphasis will shift from a crisis response to a focus on prevention.

Wirral Council has received a 46% increase to its homelessness prevention grant, now totaling nearly £1.3 million for the period from April 2025. Additionally, the council has been allocated nearly £800,000 to support victims of domestic abuse, further underscoring the multifaceted approach needed to combat homelessness effectively.

As the task force prepares to implement these strategies, stakeholders are hopeful that these measures will create lasting change for vulnerable populations in the region. The upcoming committee meeting will be crucial in determining the next steps in Wirral’s fight against homelessness.