Bob Blackman's Homelessness Reduction Bill will receive its
Second Reading on 28 October and looks likely to receive government
support, which means it's likely to be enacted in full or in
part.
The Bill proposes significant reform of current homelessness
legislation including revisions to the definition of homelessness
and a new duty on local authorities to secure temporary
accommodation for up to 56 days for homeless people not in priority
need.
The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee is
carrying out an Inquiry into the Bill and its likely impact, to
which several ARCH member authorities have submitted
evidence.
There is widespread concern that the Bill would put significant
additional pressure on local authority services and finances
without necessarily doing anything to tackle the underlying causes
of homelessness or provide sustainable solutions for homeless
people.
There is also concern that the proposals are unnecessarily
bureaucratic and vulnerable to litigation. ARCH is considering
proposing amendments to the Bill which would make for a more
effective and less bureaucratic response, and would like to hear
from member councils with ideas for appropriate amendments.
Read the full text of the Bill.
See details of evidence submitted to date to the
CLG Select Committee.
Read our
briefing summarising the Homesslessness Reduction Bill.