The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has pledged over £13 million to tackle homelessness in Birmingham, a move that a leading charity has welcomed as a "good start" while stressing it is not a long-term solution.
Investment Details: 27 New Supported Housing Units
The funding, announced in June, will pay for 27 new supported housing units staffed around the clock. These include six emergency accommodation beds exclusively for women and ten beds for individuals requiring care-level support outside hospital discharge pathways. Additionally, eight caseworkers will be hired to support an estimated 240 to 320 individuals per year with homelessness assessments, prevention interventions, and those at high risk of rough sleeping.
SIFA Fireside, a homelessness support service based in Digbeth, has responded to the news with cautious optimism. Gareth Webber, head of services at the charity, praised the investment but emphasized that it won't end rough sleeping in the city.
Charity's Response: A Start, But Not Enough
Webber, who joined SIFA Fireside last year after two decades in the homelessness sector, told BirminghamLive that the money is being invested in the right area but more is needed. "What I'd like is the money being invested where it's being invested - but a bit more," he said. "I think there are a number of areas where it could be invested, each as valid as the next.
"I think there's a real gap in the city for commissioned emergency access accommodation. Having this money for that, it's probably the right place at the moment, but it isn't going to solve rough sleeping. It's not a long-term solution for people's homelessness."
Webber highlighted the growing demand, noting, "As an organisation, what we're seeing is people out on the streets is increasing, along with vulnerable people and those in exempt accommodation." He called for accommodation that is safe, secure, and offers the right level of support for recovery.
Council Response: Part of a Wider Strategy
Councillor Baber Baz, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, responded to SIFA Fireside's comments, saying: "We welcome SIFA Fireside's recognition that this investment is a positive and much-needed step in supporting people experiencing homelessness. We agree that homelessness is a complex issue and that no single intervention will solve it.
"Homelessness can take many forms, which is why Birmingham City Council works with a wide range of partners at both a strategic and operational level to address the causes and impacts of homelessness. Our vision is set out in our Homelessness Prevention Strategy, which aims to prevent homelessness wherever possible and, where it does occur, make it rare, brief and non-recurring."
The council is also undertaking a Supported Housing Needs Assessment and a Supported Exempt Accommodation Health Needs Assessment to help shape future services. Baz added, "This investment is an important part of a wider programme of work to ensure vulnerable residents can access safe accommodation and the support they need to achieve sustainable housing outcomes."
Broader Context: Calls for More Action
Webber also referenced national efforts to end rough sleeping, saying, "Andy Burnham has talked about wanting to end rough sleeping, and that's brilliant. I always want to hear a Prime Minister say that. The thing I now want to see is how Andy is going to do that." He urged against complacency, stating, "I'm happy to see investment for commissioned emergency accommodation but let's not rest on that."
SIFA Fireside, located at 48-52 Allcock Street, Birmingham, continues to provide vital support to those experiencing homelessness in the city. While the new investment is a step forward, charities and advocates agree that more comprehensive measures are needed to address the root causes of homelessness and provide lasting solutions.
