Government hints at forcing social housing landlords to house homeless households

The government has hinted that social housing landlords could be required to take council-referred homeless households.

In response to a written question, homelessness minister Alison McGovern said the government could introduce legislation to tighten rules around how social housing is allocated.

The news comes as councils expand schemes with private landlords to tackle homelessness.

Require social housing landlords to rehouse statutory homeless households

In a written question, Liberal Democrat MP Lee Dillion asked: “What steps is the government taking to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are able to access social housing”.

In response, Ms McGovern said: “The government will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation, including through the new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

“As set out in our National Plan to End Homelessness, we will work with partners to update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and effectively support vulnerable households.

“Where joint working is not operating effectively, we will consider levers to require social housing landlords to rehouse statutory homeless households referred by the council, including legislating if necessary.”

£2.8 million a year on temporary accommodation

As previously reported on Property118, councils across the country are spending more than £2.8 million a year on temporary accommodation.

In practice, councils often advise private tenants facing eviction to remain in their rented home while homelessness prevention work is carried out, in order to avoid households becoming homeless and needing temporary accommodation.

However, the government’s Homelessness Code of Guidance says: “Housing authorities should not consider it reasonable for an applicant to remain in occupation until eviction by a bailiff”.