Vince Cable

Vincent Cable, MP, visited staff and residents at the newly refurbished Spear hostel for the homeless on Kew Road Richmond.

He said afterwards that "with growing numbers of families facing arrears on their mortgages or rent in the 'credit crunch', it is crucial to have the safety net which SPEAR provides."

"Spear's hostel has traditionally been the last resort for people who are homeless and are not entitled to help form the council. But increasingly they try to head off homelessness by helping people with rent deposits."

Vincent Cable said: "I encounter growing numbers of people not able to cope with their housing situation. There is a repossession crisis growing like that in the early 1990's. If people do lose their homes the council cannot help if they are deemed "intentionally homeless" or if single men are involved. And some people want, in any event, to stay in the private sector. Spear offer advice and operate a rent deposit scheme which has so far helped 200 people to find a home".

"I also discussed with Spear the possibility of providing more sheltered and supervised accommodation for the mentally ill and those with alcohol and drug problems. At present these are often just placed without proper support in social housing schemes where they are not properly supported and also give their neighbours hell".