Birmingham's Labour Party has promised to help all rough sleepers to find homes if elected to run the council in May.

The pledge is made in a new homelessness policy manifesto from Birmingham’s Labour Party as it bids to retain control of the city council in the May 3 election.

They have also promised to end the use of ‘ unsuitable , unsafe and insanitary properties’ for temporary accommodation by introducing a new quality standard for properties used by the city council.

Another proposal could see a new corporate social responsibility levy applied to organisers of commercial events in the city centre, such as festivals, markets and promotional activity, which would then be ploughed into support for the homeless.

And like the rival Conservatives they will end the use of expensive bed and breakfast accommodation and work with the West Midlands Mayor and Combined Authority to get the Housing First scheme up and running to help the homeless into good permanent properties.

But while welcoming schemes like Housing First, the Labour group also warns that Government benefit policies and ‘draconian’ sanctions, including the roll out of Universal Credit, will hit Brummies hard and could add to the numbers of people forced out of their home.

Volunteers with Chris Fielding, centre

Labour’s homelessness spokeswoman, Cllr Sharon Thompson, said: “We are working hard to reduce homelessness within the city but are restricted by underfunded services as a result of Government cuts.

"Cross sector cuts, restrictive housing policies, Universal Credit requirements which delay payments are some of the systemic issues putting more citizens at risk of homelessness.

“The Government is increasingly pushing the financial burden of austerity onto local authorities who are already underfunded and struggling to deal with this national crisis. We will not stand by silently on this agenda.

“We are committed to creating better outcomes and lobbying Government for properly funded initiatives to help people back into sustainable permanent homes. Our MPs are committed to challenging Tory Government broken policies and unfair cuts.”

Councillor Sharon Thompson pictured at Birmingham Council House
Councillor Sharon Thompson pictured at Birmingham Council House

She added that rough sleeping has been rising in the city for the last seven years and blamed austerity cuts since 2010.

Hodge Hill Labour MP Liam Byrne added: “Birmingham is facing a homeless crisis made in Downing Street. Eight years of savage spending cuts, failed housing policies, wage freezes, soaring private rental costs and brutal welfare changes perpetrated by the Tory Government have plunged hundreds of our fellow citizens into crisis.”

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The Labour manifesto pledges

We pledge that a Labour-run Birmingham City Council will:

• Ensure no one needs to sleep rough on the streets

• We guarantee that there will continue to be sufficient bed spaces in shelters for everyone who needs one.

• We will continue to support outreach services and work in partnership with health, police and voluntary services across the city.

• Work with partners to prevent people Falling into homelessness in the first place, or help get them back into safe and secure housing as quickly as possible.

• End the use of unsuitable, unsafe and insanitary properties for temporary accommodation.

• We will introduce a quality standard for all properties used for temporary accommodation.

• We will phase out the use of bed and breakfast as quickly as possible

• Introduce a Charter of Rights for every citizen facing problems with homelessness: Every citizen will have a right to have their case handled swiftly and with respect by all public agencies.

• We will drive out practices that discriminate against homeless people and rough sleepers and strive to ensure that no one is made homeless as a result of leaving social housing.

• Increase practical and financial support for homelessness prevention services through Corporate Social Responsibility by applying a CSR levy on commercial events taking place in the city centre.

• Getting organisations signed up to Birmingham’s Business Charter for Social Responsibility to include homelessness within their social responsibility objectives.

• Ensure that victims of domestic violence are rapidly rehoused to a safe, decent and permanent home.