COMMENT ON HOMELESSNESS CONFERENCE

2.44.00pm GMT Mon 28th Jan 2008

Speaking after attending a conference on homelessness on Saturday 26th January at St Augustine's church, which was organised by Friends of St Austell Homeless (FoSTAH), Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for St Austell said:

"Homelessness can affect people of all backgrounds and all ages. As well the acute experience of people sleeping rough there are many more people without their own home who have to stay with friends or family.

"The conference highlighted the great work done day in and day out by charities and volunteers to help people get back on their feet.

"There is no doubt that Government needs to do more and provide better funding to tackle street sleeping.

"It is nothing short of a scandal that there are more than 19,000 people in Cornwall on housing waiting lists, and over 14,000 second homes. Local Councils must be given the right to say 'No' to second homes."