THERESA MAY has declared her aim to help homeless people “turn their lives around” as the Government launched a £100m plan to end rough sleeping on England’s streets by 2027.

The strategy was welcomed by homelessness charities, who said it would make a “real difference”. However, they warned it will not provide a “total fix” for homelessness, which would require a significant increase in social housing, more security for renters and the reversal of policies which leave migrants homeless.

The strategy, revealed by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire today, will offer support with mental health and addictions as well as help with accommodation. Based on a three-pronged approach of prevention, intervention and recovery, it focuses on efforts to stop people becoming homeless in the first place.

The strategy includes £50m for homes outside London for people ready to move on from hostels or refuges and £30m for mental health support for rough sleepers. A new network of specialist “navigators” will help rough sleepers access services and accommodation. There will be training for frontline staff on how to help people under the influence of artificial cannabinoid Spice.

Ministers are also expected to review legislation on homelessness and rough sleeping, including the Vagrancy Act, which dates back to 1824 and still makes it illegal to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales.

Mrs May said: “Nobody should have to sleep rough and that’s why we must do all we can to help the most vulnerable in our society get the support they need.”

In a joint statement, seven homelessness charities who advised ministers hailed the strategy as “a significant step towards the Government’s goal of ending rough sleeping by 2027”.

However, the charities – Crisis, Homeless Link, National Housing Federation, Shelter, St Basils, St Mungos and Thames Reach – warned: “For the strategy to work, ... it must include plans to build significantly more social housing, to foster greater security for renters, to ensure people have access to benefits and other support they need to help them keep their homes. We also need to see a reversal of policies that leave migrants homeless and destitute, and healthcare, mental health and substance misuse services that are available and truly accessible.”

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: “Let’s be clear, this is a step forward and not a total fix.”

David Orr, of the National Housing Federation, said: “It’s simply unacceptable that people have to sleep on the streets and I am determined to make it a thing of the past.”