Political opinion with Josh Babarinde MP: Brighton homeless meeting with minister secured

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Brighton & Hove City Council has been placing individuals in temporary accommodation in Eastbourne, miles away from their support networks, including family and friends, as well as their GPs and vital mental health and addiction services.

While this is sometimes necessary (e.g. in domestic violence cases), this practice can have devastating consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. In January 2023, a 25-year-old man placed in Eastbourne by Brighton & Hove City Council was found dead, with an inquiry later finding that no welfare checks had been carried out in the month before his death. Tragically, this was not an isolated case. Last year, two further people who had been placed in Eastbourne by Brighton & Hove City Council died in Wilmington Square within days of each other. 

Earlier this week, I raised the urgent need for the Government to review its guidance on out-of-area placements by local authorities, highlighting the case of a man I recently met at homelessness charity Matthew 25. He told me that Brighton & Hove City Council had simply “dumped him” in Eastbourne, without the support he needed. I’m pleased that the Minister has now agreed to meet with me to discuss this issue further. 

Our efforts to hold Brighton & Hove City Council to account over this practice have paid off. Over the last year, there has been a 52.5% reduction in out-of-area placements, falling from a high of 198 this time last year to 94 today.

While this reduction is welcome, I have been clear that it is still unacceptable for 94 people to be placed away from their homes and support networks. 

The Government must now take urgent action to tackle the wider homelessness crisis and ensure everyone has a safe and lasting route into longer-term, suitable housing, whether in the private or social sector, or specialist supported accommodation.

They need to be learning from and working with the amazing organisations and charities across the country that are on the frontline of this crisis and understand what works. I recently joined Southdown’s Outreach Team in Eastbourne to see this work first-hand, engaging directly with people sleeping rough. Their outreach workers take the time to understand each individual’s circumstances, assess their needs and connect them with the services and support they require. Where possible, they refer people directly into emergency accommodation as the first step away from the streets, before supporting them towards longer-term, suitable housing.