The Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness has published a new report on preventing and tackling homelessness, which builds on the plan that was announced back in July 2011.
The new report aims to make sure that every contact local agencies make with vulnerable people and families really counts. It brings together government commitments to:
- Tackle troubled childhoods and adolescence
- Improve health
- Reduce involvement in crime
- Improve skills; employment; and financial advice
- Pioneer social funding for homelessness
The report poses 10 challenges to local authorities and their partners:
- Adopt a corporate commitment to prevent homelessness which has buy in across all local authority services
- Actively work in partnership with voluntary sector and other local partners to address support, education, employment and training needs
- Offer a Housing Options prevention service, including written advice, to all clients
- Adopt a No Second Night Out model or an effective local alternative
- Have housing pathways agreed or in development with each key partner and client group that includes appropriate accommodation and support
- Develop a suitable private rented sector offer for all client groups, including advice and support to both clients and landlords
- Actively engage in preventing mortgage repossessions including through the Mortgage Rescue Scheme
- Have a homelessness strategy which sets out a proactive approach to preventing homelessness and is reviewed annually so that it is responsive to emerging needs
- Not place any young person aged 16 or 17 in Bed and Breakfast accommodation
- Not place any families in Bed and Breakfast accommodation unless in an emergency and then for no longer than 6 weeks
Links
Making every contact count: A joint approach to preventing homelessness (PDF). Department for Communities and Local Government, 16 Aug 2012.
Homelessness Transition Fund Grants: round 2 (PDF). Department for Communities and Local Government, 16 Aug 2012.
Vision to end rough sleeping: No Second Night Out nationwide (PDF). HM Government, 6 Jul 2011.
