The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee has
issued its report and findings on its inquiry into
homelessness.
ARCH
submitted evidence to the CLG Select Committee Inquiry earlier
this year. We argued that:
- homelessness has been increasing over the last five years
- local authorities have been less able to respond effectively
over the same period
- over the next five years, both trends are set to continue,
causing considerable difficulties for local authorities and a very
poor outlook for many of those applying for help because they're
homeless
- the forced sale of council houses and the measures in the
Housing and Planning Bill were likely to result in an overall loss
of social rented housing available to house homeless
households
- there should be a renewed focus on developing measures through
which local authorities can more effectively prevent homelessness,
particularly that arising in the private rented sector and where
withdrawal or reduction of benefits is a prime cause.
In their report, the CLG Select Committee found that a shortage
of social housing means many people rely on the private rented
sector to avoid or escape homelessness, but often the financial
barriers or instability of tenancies are too great. It urges the
government to work with local authorities to deliver homes for
affordable rent and says local housing benefit levels should be
reviewed to more closely reflect market rents.
The report says that a demonstrable increase in homelessness,
driven by the cost and availability of housing, has pushed the
problem to such a level that a renewed government-wide strategy is
needed.
The report is complemented by the Homelessness Reduction Bill, a Private
Member's Bill presented by Committee member, Bob Blackman MP, and
supported by the other members of the Committee. The Committee will
take evidence on the Bill, which is aimed at improving the support
and advice offered to all homeless people, once it has been
published. It's unusual for a Select Committee to not only sponsor
a Bill on the back of an inquiry in this way but also conduct
pre-legislative scrutiny on it. The Bill is expected to receive its
second reading in the House of Commons on 28 October 2016.
Read the full report.