Liverpool MPs and councillors have backed a letter from frontline groups calling on the government to better support the homeless as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
More than 60 charity and community groups have signed a letter calling on housing, communities and local government secretary Robert Jenrick to ensure the government's Everyone In policy will cover all homeless people.
The policy has seen large numbers of rough sleepers brought off the streets swiftly in an attempt to protect them from coronavirus but longer term protections are set to exclude people with “no recourse to public funds”.
Often immigrants or asylum seekers, people with no recourse to public funds can't access the welfare system and make up a disproportionately large portion of the homeless population.
The letter was written by co-written by Haringey Migrant Support Centre and Museum of Homelessness (MoH).
Matt Turtle co-founder of MoH said clarity was needed urgently on the government's position.
He said: “As winter draws nearer and the economic impacts of coronavirus start to bite, what is the government’s message for the many new faces we are seeing daily on the streets?
“Volunteers and local groups have been working tirelessly to support the hundreds of thousands of people in inadequate temporary accommodation or overcrowded hostels.
“These people have been left out during the pandemic without access to food or essential supplies. If we are really to end homelessness, we must truly address inequality and ensure everyone is included in the plans.”
The letter has been signed by multiple frontline groups, including Liverpool-based Paper Cups Projects, run by Michelle Langan.
Ms Langan said: “The positive message from the government about providing accommodation for rough sleepers when lockdown comes to an end is encouraging news, but we need further clarification that those who are not eligible for support due to the ‘no recourse to public funds’ rule will not fall through the cracks.
“A home is a basic human right, and nobody should be left behind.”
The campaign has been publicly backed by Riverside MP Kim Johnson and Wavertree MP Paula Barker.
The Home Office and MHCLG have made clear that existing rules around No Recourse to Public Funds still stand but a statement from the Minister for Homelessness said that "councils do have flexibility, as they know, to support those individuals when there is a risk to life and serious concern. They should behave humanely and compassionately".
