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Rethink over Willow Walk hostel cuts in Cambridge welcomed




The county council is set to delay potential funding cuts to hostel provision for the homeless in Cambridge because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There were concerns in 2019 that Willow Walk, the city’s only “high-needs” hostel for the homeless, could be decommissioned when its contract expired in 2021.

Tim Bick, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Cambridge City Council
Tim Bick, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Cambridge City Council

Social housing provider Riverside, which runs the facility, receives funding from the county council to provide specialist care.

But this could have cut as the council sought to move away from a “reliance on predominantly hostel provision” to help fund a “housing first” homelessness policy, which moves individuals into accommodation more directly.

A council report, however, has suggested that the timing of this move needs rethinking.

“Given the current climate, and the impact that Covid-19 has had on the homelessness sector, we need to reconsider whether this is also the right time to pursue the savings linked to this redesign work,” it says.

Cllr Tim Bick, the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Cambridge City Council, said: “I’m delighted with this change of approach. It does not mean that Willow Walk, or any other homeless hostel, will never change. Well justified innovation is important, especially if it widens the range of provision.

“But it does mean its future should be decided based on an endeavour to meet needs better based on evidence, rather than to eliminate it based on a new round of funding cutbacks.”

A county council spokesperson said: “We recognise how important local homeless services are to help vulnerable people rebuild their lives and there was never any decision made by our adults committee to remove funding for Willow Walk.

“The council is working on delivering its new housing related support strategy, which supports delivering models of best practice.

“The HRS strategy has been approved and we are working with Cambridge City Council on a joint streets-to-homes service, where funding could be used to deliver a new model of homeless support in Cambridge. Work on the new model is ongoing and we are engaging with a range of partners to deliver this as part of our new strategy.”

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