Dame Louise Casey's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 31 May 2020
Statement from Dame Louise Casey, the Prime Minister鈥檚 advisor on rough sleeping, on the efforts to support rough sleepers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thank you, Secretary of State.
Firstly can I add my own condolences to the families and friends of all those who have so sadly passed away, due to COVID-19.
At the outset of鈥痶his awful crisis鈥痠t became clear that what we needed to do, was do all we can to make sure we were protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
And we must continue to do so, the pandemic is not over.
For homeless people, the task was to bring as many people in off the streets and out of communal shelters.
皇冠体育app goal was to protect rough sleepers from the virus, give them the chance to self-isolate,鈥痑nd, ultimately therefore, to do the best we can to save their lives.
皇冠体育appre was鈥痑n absolutely extraordinary response, across the public sector, charities and businesses鈥痠n response to my call to get 鈥榚veryone in鈥�.
Those efforts have resulted in close to 15,000 people across England now being helped.
I鈥檇 like to take this opportunity, alongside the Secretary of State, to thank everyone involved 鈥� it was an extraordinary and unusual endeavour. From the dedicated outreach workers, the hard-working council staff鈥痶o hotels that have opened their doors,鈥痑nd faith and community groups who provided friendship and food.
It has been a heartening example of what we can do when we need to do it and the best of Britain in this time of crisis.
And, by bringing almost everyone in, we now have an another extraordinary and unusual endeavour ahead, to鈥痶ry and change their lives鈥痜or good beyond the immediate response to COVID-19.
I stand ready to work with all partners and esteemed colleagues in Wales, in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
So, I鈥檓 really pleased the government is investing in鈥痶hese 6,000 new homes鈥痑long with the extra support and money for the costs of their support. Meaning that we can help the most vulnerable rough sleepers, in the long term.
This is a really good start. I am grateful to the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister for their support. But none of us should underestimate the challenge ahead in order to keep everyone in.
皇冠体育appre is much more that we need to do, but for now, I鈥檇 just like to thank 鈥� those in local government, the health service, the civil servants and the countless charities and community groups, who have helped protect this, one of our most vulnerable groups in our society, during this pandemic.
And those, such as the Prince鈥檚 Trust, Business in the Community, Comic Relief, the Anglican and Catholic churches who have pledged wider support.
So, now that so many are inside, I hope that we can keep it that way. What has been done here, is a small but incredible silver lining 鈥� in the dark cloud, that is COVID-19.
Thank you.