A while ago I went to an event in the St Mungos facility in Pound Lane. Everyone was very gloomy about the forthcoming disaster caused by the Con Dem government's changes to housing benefit. The changes have been sold by using atypical examples of unemployed families in central London claiming large sums, but most of the people hit by the cuts will be low paid workers claiming much more modest amounts.
However, touring the actual facility in Pound Lane was inspiring. It cost more than £9 million, and arranges a gradual progression for homeless people towards independent living. the idea is to reverse the kind of "revolving door" that emergency only support gives. It is of course probably more cost effective in the long run, but also just the kind of thing the present government is likely to cut.
The centre at 115 Pound Lane is open to the public. They have a cafe, meeting rooms and a computer room so it is worth going in just to have a look.
No comments:
Post a Comment