Government launches plan to prevent homelessness

The government has pledged to prevent homelessness by the end of this Parliament through its new homelessness strategy.

With the launch of the National Plan to End Homelessness, the government has committed to three key pledges: halving the number of long-term rough sleepers, ending the unlawful use of B&Bs for families, and preventing more households from becoming homeless in the first place.

The government has also announced a £3.5 billion investment over the next three years to tackle rough sleeping and strengthen support services.

Homelessness is one of the most profound challenges we face as a society

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Homelessness is one of the most profound challenges we face as a society, because at the heart, it’s about people. Families deserve stability, children need a safe place to grow, and individuals simply want the dignity of a home.

“This strategy is shaped by the voices of those who’ve lived through homelessness and the frontline workers who fight tirelessly to prevent it.

“Through our new strategy, we can build a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated. With record investment, new duties on public services, and a relentless focus on accountability, we will turn ambition into reality.”

In a government press release, the government said: “Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions can often contribute to households becoming homeless”, and that the Renters’ Rights Act will put an end to this.

The government also announced it will invest £39 billion in the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, as part of its pledge to build 1.5 million homes.

Councils should proactively build relationships with landlords

The government have announced a proposed ‘Duty to Collaborate’, which will be brought forward in legislation for public bodies to work together to prevent homelessness.

Under the plans, every council will now publish a tailored action plan alongside their local homelessness strategy, including setting local targets on key outcomes, with targeted expert support for areas facing the greatest challenges.

In the National Plan To End Homelessness document, councils are being asked to work with private landlords to end homelessness.

The document says: “Councils should also proactively build relationships with landlords in their areas, for example establishing local private landlord forums, so landlords can understand how to work with the council if they do have a tenant at risk of homelessness, and how their properties could be used to provide a home for a household in need.”

The government have also announced an additional £50 million of in-year funding (25/26) is also to be allocated to local authorities through the government’s Homelessness Prevention Grant.

The government said: “This funding is intended to focus on prevention, making sure individuals and households who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness are given the right help to stay in their homes.”