Local Authority Housing Fund

28 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the health and wellbeing of children living in temporary accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the health and wellbeing of children living in temporary accommodation.

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27 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council to provide new social housing and a health hub on the Brighton General Hospital site.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council to provide new social housing and a health hub on the Brighton General Hospital site.

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24 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask His Majesty's Government, given that statistics published in February 2026 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that 175,990 children were living in temporary accom

To ask His Majesty's Government, given that statistics published in February 2026 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that 175,990 children were living in temporary accommodation in England in September 2025, what assessment

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part of their action plans to highlight where there are gaps in provision and demonstrate how the funds allocated through the Local Authority Housing Fund are being used to fill gaps in available provision. The Government must also require local authorities to ensure that all new temporary accommodation built with these funds meets Part M4 (2) of the Building Regulations. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)

The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part of their action plans to highlight where there are gaps in provision and demonstrate how the funds allocated through the Local Authority Housing Fund are …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The rules that determine the amount of money councils can claim through the Housing Benefit subsidy system is restricting their ability to source good-quality temporary accommodation for households. The Department for Work and Pension’s ongoing freeze of the subsidy rates is putting an enormous financial strain on councils. The freeze in subsidy rates limits the range of affordable options available to councils and acts as a disincentive 65 for them to enter longer-term leases that could stre...

The rules that determine the amount of money councils can claim through the Housing Benefit subsidy system is restricting their ability to source good-quality temporary accommodation for households. The Department for Work and Pension’s ongoing freeze of the subsidy rates …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

Competition between local authorities and other public bodies drives up the costs of temporary accommodation and restricts the ability of local authorities to raise standards locally. We are pleased that the ministry is working with the Home Office to test ways to reduce competition between public bodies for residential accommodation. However, we are disappointed that the National Plan to End Homelessness did not include a firmer stance on eliminating this unhelpful practice. (Conclusion, Par...

Competition between local authorities and other public bodies drives up the costs of temporary accommodation and restricts the ability of local authorities to raise standards locally. We are pleased that the ministry is working with the Home Office to test …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to more people being more at risk of homelessness and in need of temporary accommodation. The freeze also makes it difficult for councils to help households find a permanent home they can afford. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93) 66

We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to more people being more at risk of homelessness and in need of temporary accommodation. The freeze also makes it difficult for councils to help households …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We agree with the government that some degree of temporary accommodation will always be needed as a safety net and that this accommodation must provide households who need it with a decent, safe and stable place to live while they find a more permanent home. It is critical that the steps councils are taking to increase the supply are informed by, and consistent with, a more long-term strategy, locally and nationally. (Conclusion, Paragraph 99)

We agree with the government that some degree of temporary accommodation will always be needed as a safety net and that this accommodation must provide households who need it with a decent, safe and stable place to live while they …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

The ministry should require local authorities in their action plans to forecast future demand for temporary accommodation locally and set out a 10- year plan for delivering a sustainable supply of good-quality temporary accommodation that is decent, safe and stable. (Recommendation, Paragraph 100)

The ministry should require local authorities in their action plans to forecast future demand for temporary accommodation locally and set out a 10- year plan for delivering a sustainable supply of good-quality temporary accommodation that is decent, safe and stable. …

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22 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

We welcome the extra funding the Government has provided through the Local Authority Housing Fund to help councils increase the supply of temporary accommodation. However, boosting the supply of affordable homes, especially social housing, is critical to alleviating the crisis in temporary accommodation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 101)

We welcome the extra funding the Government has provided through the Local Authority Housing Fund to help councils increase the supply of temporary accommodation. However, boosting the supply of affordable homes, especially social housing, is critical to alleviating the crisis …

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23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

It is a source of national shame that cases of homelessness, particularly among families and children, are at record levels and continue to rise. This is placing considerable strain on the finances of local authorities. We repeat the findings of our report of earlier this year, England’s Homeless Children: The crisis in temporary accommodation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 120)

It is a source of national shame that cases of homelessness, particularly among families and children, are at record levels and continue to rise. This is placing considerable strain on the finances of local authorities. We repeat the findings of …

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23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

As we recommended in our previous report, England’s Homeless Children, the Government should reconsider its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates and should extend its support for local authorities to acquire new housing stock through the Local Authority Housing Fund. (Recommendation, Paragraph 121)

As we recommended in our previous report, England’s Homeless Children, the Government should reconsider its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates and should extend its support for local authorities to acquire new housing stock through the Local Authority Housing …

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3 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

During our inquiry we have also heard that, for many families, life in temporary accommodation is far from ‘temporary’. In some cases, families spend years in temporary accommodation, stuck in limbo without the stability of permanent accommodation and knowing that their local authority may require them to move with little notice. The shortage of affordable housing across England means families face growing social housing waiting lists for a permanent home, with over 1.3 million households cur...

During our inquiry we have also heard that, for many families, life in temporary accommodation is far from ‘temporary’. In some cases, families spend years in temporary accommodation, stuck in limbo without the stability of permanent accommodation and knowing that …

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3 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government’s forthcoming strategy on ending homelessness must set out a clear plan to end placements of families in temporary accommodation with shared facilities, starting by reducing and eliminating placements of over six weeks. (Recommendation, Paragraph 47) Out-of-area temporary accommodation

The Government’s forthcoming strategy on ending homelessness must set out a clear plan to end placements of families in temporary accommodation with shared facilities, starting by reducing and eliminating placements of over six weeks. (Recommendation, Paragraph 47) Out-of-area temporary accommodatio

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3 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should provide an update on its efforts to connect homelessness data with data from other public services, including health data, to take a more holistic approach to understanding the drivers of homelessness in England. It should also consider how it may improve data 46 collection and reporting of the housing circumstances of A&E admissions and GP referrals, and of school absenteeism, to improve understanding of how temporary accommodation impacts children’s health and educatio...

The Government should provide an update on its efforts to connect homelessness data with data from other public services, including health data, to take a more holistic approach to understanding the drivers of homelessness in England. It should also consider …

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3 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

In its response to this Report, the Government should provide: • an update on the work of the Inter-Ministerial Group to date; • the dates and attendance of any Inter-Ministerial Group meetings since January 2024; • the names of each Minister or job title of each official who attended each Inter-Ministerial Group meeting from November 2024 to present; and • an update on the Inter-Ministerial Group’s focused engagement with children and families, and how this will inform the forthcoming strate...

In its response to this Report, the Government should provide: • an update on the work of the Inter-Ministerial Group to date; • the dates and attendance of any Inter-Ministerial Group meetings since January 2024; • the names of each …

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3 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

Local authority owned housing for temporary accommodation is a more cost-efficient means of providing higher quality temporary accommodation for families in the long term. It is unacceptable that some affordable homes are currently sitting empty while families are stuck in temporary accommodation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 90) The Government should extend its support for local authorities to acquire their own temporary accommodation stock through the Local Authority Housing Fund, including by ac...

Local authority owned housing for temporary accommodation is a more cost-efficient means of providing higher quality temporary accommodation for families in the long term. It is unacceptable that some affordable homes are currently sitting empty while families are stuck in …

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3 Apr 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government clearly recognises the scale of the homelessness crisis in England, and we welcome the scale of the Government’s ambition to tackle it. We welcome the Government’s target to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament, however, as the Minister for Homelessness and Democracy outlined, we must not lose focus on the need for social and affordable housing to alleviate the crisis in temporary accommodation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91) The Government must ensure that social a...

The Government clearly recognises the scale of the homelessness crisis in England, and we welcome the scale of the Government’s ambition to tackle it. We welcome the Government’s target to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament, however, as …

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21 Mar 2025 | Committee report linked

The National Housing Federation (NHF) told us that the government’s approach to funding remediation for non–ACM cladding allocated public funding in a way that prioritised tenure over risk. It said that the arrangements meant that, in reality, 90% of public funding for remediating non–ACM type cladding had gone to private building owners and only 10% to social landlords.71 When the previous Committee last looked at this issue, MHCLG had announced (in May 2018) that it would make £400 million ...

The National Housing Federation (NHF) told us that the government’s approach to funding remediation for non–ACM cladding allocated public funding in a way that prioritised tenure over risk. It said that the arrangements meant that, in reality, 90% of public …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

Too many people’s lives are disrupted by being placed in temporary accommodation outside of their local area. For a variety of reasons, including lack of housing supply and suitability of accommodation, some local authorities struggle to place households in temporary accommodation within their local area. Over the period 2018–19 to 2023–24, the number of households placed out of area increased by 42%. As at June 2024, around 39,000 households were placed out of area. MHCLG is aware of familie...

Too many people’s lives are disrupted by being placed in temporary accommodation outside of their local area. For a variety of reasons, including lack of housing supply and suitability of accommodation, some local authorities struggle to place households in temporary …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

The homelessness problem is being exacerbated by a severe shortage in housing supply, and especially affordable housing. Homes England, which is sponsored by MHCLG, fell below its central targets in 2022–23 in terms of new home starts, completions, unlocked housing capacity and households supported into home ownership. MHCLG accepts that a significant ramping- up in affordable housing supply, beyond individual strategic sites, would be needed to make a substantial impact on homelessness level...

The homelessness problem is being exacerbated by a severe shortage in housing supply, and especially affordable housing. Homes England, which is sponsored by MHCLG, fell below its central targets in 2022–23 in terms of new home starts, completions, unlocked housing …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

MHCLG told us that it was actively looking at ways to incentivise and support local government to move more funding into preventive rather than reactive activity.13 We pressed MHCLG on how it might achieve this. It explained that local authorities have different strategies–for example, in terms of intervening in the housing market or working with other agencies. While MHCLG said it would not pre-empt Ministerial decisions to come, it did refer to its work to spread best practice on procuring ...

MHCLG told us that it was actively looking at ways to incentivise and support local government to move more funding into preventive rather than reactive activity.13 We pressed MHCLG on how it might achieve this. It explained that local authorities …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

For a variety of reasons, including lack of housing supply and suitability of accommodation, some local authorities struggle to place households within their local area. MHCLG acknowledges that placing households out of area can cause disruption, especially to children, including challenges for their education and social isolation affecting their health and support needs. The number of households placed out of area rose from 23,450 in Quarter 3, 2018–19 to 33,350 in Quarter 3, 2023–24, an inc...

For a variety of reasons, including lack of housing supply and suitability of accommodation, some local authorities struggle to place households within their local area. MHCLG acknowledges that placing households out of area can cause disruption, especially to children, including …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

We enquired whether some local authorities were effectively “swapping” households with other local authorities. MHCLG replied that it received a lot of anecdotal evidence that this was happening, and that such an approach was clearly wrong given that it is better for people to stay as close as possible to their home. We challenged MHCLG on whether some kind of central co-ordination was required to prevent this swapping of households from taking place. It replied that it was cautious of too mu...

We enquired whether some local authorities were effectively “swapping” households with other local authorities. MHCLG replied that it received a lot of anecdotal evidence that this was happening, and that such an approach was clearly wrong given that it is …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

We asked DWP what analysis it had done on the extent to which homelessness is impacted by LHA rates not allowing people to afford rents in their area. It explained that the decision, for example, to freeze the LHA rate again for 2025–26 was not taken in isolation. It went on to say that while increasing LHA rates would clearly have given tenants more money to pay their rents, there were other considerations. These included the interaction between LHA rates and other benefits such as universal...

We asked DWP what analysis it had done on the extent to which homelessness is impacted by LHA rates not allowing people to afford rents in their area. It explained that the decision, for example, to freeze the LHA rate …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

LHA rates also impact the amount that local authorities can reclaim as a subsidy from DWP for temporary accommodation costs. The amount that can be reclaimed depends on a number of factors, including the January 2011 LHA rate appropriate to the size of the property. Given that the subsidy is based on an historic rate rather than being aligned with local authorities’ rising temporary accommodation costs, they experience a gap in funding, commonly known as ‘Temporary Accommodation Subsidy loss’...

LHA rates also impact the amount that local authorities can reclaim as a subsidy from DWP for temporary accommodation costs. The amount that can be reclaimed depends on a number of factors, including the January 2011 LHA rate appropriate to …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

DWP explained that it sets the subsidy level using a rate that has never covered local authorities’ full costs, to incentivise them in their procurement of temporary accommodation. MHCLG added that it considers local authorities’ financial position with regard to the temporary accommodation subsidy when making decisions about the local government funding settlement, but it did not explain in any further detail how it does this.33 30 TH0006 31 TH0022 32 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.12, 3.13 33 Qq 38...

DWP explained that it sets the subsidy level using a rate that has never covered local authorities’ full costs, to incentivise them in their procurement of temporary accommodation. MHCLG added that it considers local authorities’ financial position with regard to …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

MHCLG has suggested that a significant ramping-up in affordable housing supply, beyond individual strategic sites, would be needed to make a substantial impact on homelessness, requiring new supply in areas where homelessness pressures are particularly acute, including the South East, South West and London. However, it has also conceded that recent economic changes–including inflation, a tight labour market and material shortages–have posed a major risk to the successful delivery of new homes...

MHCLG has suggested that a significant ramping-up in affordable housing supply, beyond individual strategic sites, would be needed to make a substantial impact on homelessness, requiring new supply in areas where homelessness pressures are particularly acute, including the South East, …

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24 Jan 2025 | Committee report linked

Many of the written submissions that we received focused on housing supply. The Chartered Institute of Housing, for example, made the case for increasing the supply of quality homes at social rents via government grant, because it would reduce overall government spending on benefits.44 The Local Government Association suggested steps to help councils increase housing supply, including: reforming Right to Buy rules to prevent further loss of stock; allowing local government continued access to...

Many of the written submissions that we received focused on housing supply. The Chartered Institute of Housing, for example, made the case for increasing the supply of quality homes at social rents via government grant, because it would reduce overall …

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29 May 2024 | Committee report linked

The Home Office told us that it was not “cloth-eared” to the issues that local authorities faced, and that it included the challenges facing local authorities as part of its assessment of which hotels to close and in what order, but could not take responsibility for the whole housing market. It said it was now liaising directly with local authorities “in a way that perhaps in the early days we [the Home Office] were not”. It explained that local authorities now have a “place-based visibility ...

The Home Office told us that it was not “cloth-eared” to the issues that local authorities faced, and that it included the challenges facing local authorities as part of its assessment of which hotels to close and in what order, …

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21 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

It is welcome that the Government is extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further six months until September 2024. Alongside other benefits, the HSF has provided a vital layer of additional support to households during the cost of living crisis. The Household Support Fund should be made a permanent feature of the social security system. This would enable local authorities to plan their provision of discretionary support to households better.

It is welcome that the Government is extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further six months until September 2024. Alongside other benefits, the HSF has provided a vital layer of additional support to households during the cost of …

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23 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

In December 2022, DLUHC announced £650 million of funding for local authorities through a Local Authority Housing Fund, of which £500 million was to acquire housing stock, and £150 million for homelessness prevention more widely. This funding aimed to assist reducing homelessness for people within the local authority, including those on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Local authorities must spend any money allocated under these schemes before the end of March 2024 and can use it to fund a wide ...

In December 2022, DLUHC announced £650 million of funding for local authorities through a Local Authority Housing Fund, of which £500 million was to acquire housing stock, and £150 million for homelessness prevention more widely. This funding aimed to assist …

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10 Nov 2023 | Committee report linked

Some local authorities face increasing gaps in their budgets because of the way DWP Housing Benefit regulations work. Local authorities pay housing benefit directly to providers and ‘subsidy loss’ is the gap between how much rent a housing provider charges to a local authority and how much of it the local authority can claim back from DWP under Housing Benefit rules. In some cases, local authorities cannot claim the full amount of rent back and must cover the remaining costs from their own bu...

Some local authorities face increasing gaps in their budgets because of the way DWP Housing Benefit regulations work. Local authorities pay housing benefit directly to providers and ‘subsidy loss’ is the gap between how much rent a housing provider charges …

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10 Nov 2023 | Committee report linked

The NAO investigation found that some local authorities face increasing gaps in funding for supported housing because of the way the DWP’s Housing Benefit regulations work. “Subsidy loss” is the gap in funding between how much rent a housing provider charges to a local authority and how much of it the local authority can claim back from DWP, in line with Housing Benefit rules which are set out in legislation. In some cases, local authorities cannot claim the full amount of rent back and must ...

The NAO investigation found that some local authorities face increasing gaps in funding for supported housing because of the way the DWP’s Housing Benefit regulations work. “Subsidy loss” is the gap in funding between how much rent a housing provider …

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10 Nov 2023 | Committee report linked

Successful bids from local authorities for the Supported Housing Improvement Programme have included work to reduce subsidy loss in local areas. DWP told us that local authorities can reduce subsidy loss by scrutinising Housing Benefit claims more by overseeing providers and asking for breakdowns of bills that come through on service charges.51 However, whilst this may reduce some subsidy loss in some areas, this may not go far enough to bridge the gap in funding that local authorities are ex...

Successful bids from local authorities for the Supported Housing Improvement Programme have included work to reduce subsidy loss in local areas. DWP told us that local authorities can reduce subsidy loss by scrutinising Housing Benefit claims more by overseeing providers …

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27 Oct 2023 | Written evidence linked

When we asked the Home Office why it was so far from achieving its accommodation targets, it told us that there is a “huge amount of pressure” for the type of accommodation it is trying to source.44 In written evidence, the Local Government Association (LGA) told us that providers sourcing accommodation for the Home Office compete with councils seeking accommodation for domestic families and people who have resettled in the UK or been granted asylum, which increases prices and distorts local ...

When we asked the Home Office why it was so far from achieving its accommodation targets, it told us that there is a “huge amount of pressure” for the type of accommodation it is trying to source.44 In written evidence, …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

Housing providers do not always build in areas of higher demand. There is a mismatch between where housing providers build compared to areas of highest need. The Department tells local authorities how many homes, not just affordable homes, they should deliver each year but does not use the Programme to target local authorities with the highest need for housing. Under strategic bidding, housing providers only state the region, not the local authority, in which they intend to build. Local autho...

Housing providers do not always build in areas of higher demand. There is a mismatch between where housing providers build compared to areas of highest need. The Department tells local authorities how many homes, not just affordable homes, they should …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

The Department does not quantify potential savings in some areas, such as temporary accommodation, into the Programme. Surprisingly, the Department can identify, but not quantify, savings in areas such as temporary accommodation and adult social care that the public purse could make through the Programme. For example, from the estimated 8,500 households that could move out of temporary accommodation by 2026–27 through the 2021 programme. The Department needs 6 The Affordable Homes Programme s...

The Department does not quantify potential savings in some areas, such as temporary accommodation, into the Programme. Surprisingly, the Department can identify, but not quantify, savings in areas such as temporary accommodation and adult social care that the public purse …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

The Department specifies the overall number of homes (not just affordable homes) that local authorities should build each year, through a calculation known as the ‘standard method’. Local authorities must follow this unless they have exceptional circumstances, and face penalties under the Housing Delivery Test, if they do not deliver against their target.17 The National Audit Office found there is not a strong match between areas of high housing need and where housing providers build under th...

The Department specifies the overall number of homes (not just affordable homes) that local authorities should build each year, through a calculation known as the ‘standard method’. Local authorities must follow this unless they have exceptional circumstances, and face penalties …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

We challenged the Department about whether housing providers build homes where they are needed most. The Department does not allocate funding from the Programme based on its calculation of local housing need.20 Under strategic bidding, housing providers only state the region, not the local authority, in which they intend to build.21 The Department told us that local authorities state what mix of housing they would like when developing their local plans, and that housing providers follow these...

We challenged the Department about whether housing providers build homes where they are needed most. The Department does not allocate funding from the Programme based on its calculation of local housing need.20 Under strategic bidding, housing providers only state the …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

The National Audit Office report found that the Programme could bring greater value to other parts of government, for example, in reducing the numbers of people in temporary accommodation. Local authority spend on homelessness has increased 50% in real-terms from 2015–16 to 2020–21.38 London Councils highlighted particular high levels of homelessness and use of temporary accommodation in London.39 We asked the Department whether it has done a cost-benefit analysis of reducing the numbers of p...

The National Audit Office report found that the Programme could bring greater value to other parts of government, for example, in reducing the numbers of people in temporary accommodation. Local authority spend on homelessness has increased 50% in real-terms from …

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7 Dec 2022 | Committee report linked

We pressed the Department as to why it does not consider these wider savings when it allocates funding through the Programme. The Department told us it is working on improving its research base to do so but contended that the great majority of the financial benefit of the Programme would still accrue from land value uplift.44

We pressed the Department as to why it does not consider these wider savings when it allocates funding through the Programme. The Department told us it is working on improving its research base to do so but contended that the …

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7 Dec 2022 | Written evidence linked

The Department told us it tried to ‘strike a balance,’ between a centrally driven approach to need versus a local approach. The Department explained that outside London, Homes England identifies whether proposals for new homes are acceptable value for money, guided by local land supply and policy. Housing providers must then build homes 13 Qq 63, 64 14 Written evidence submitted by G15 group, dated September 2022 15 Q 63 16 Qq 69, 72 17 C&AG’s Report, para 4.4 18 C&AG’s Report, para 21, Figur...

The Department told us it tried to ‘strike a balance,’ between a centrally driven approach to need versus a local approach. The Department explained that outside London, Homes England identifies whether proposals for new homes are acceptable value for money, …

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27 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government should provide new burdens funding to local authorities to ensure that they can carry out these duties to the best of their ability, recognising that improving the overall standard of exempt accommodation and making it more consistent is likely to save resources in the long-term. The Government should also carry out an impact assessment to identify and mitigate any unintended consequences.

The Government should provide new burdens funding to local authorities to ensure that they can carry out these duties to the best of their ability, recognising that improving the overall standard of exempt accommodation and making it more consistent is …

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27 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

Demand for exempt accommodation is driven in part by a shortage of affordable homes. To solve the issues found in exempt accommodation the Government must solve the wider housing crisis. We reiterate the recommendations from our 2020 report, “Building more social housing”—in particular, our call on the Government to build 90,000 social rent homes a year. (Paragraph 100) Models of exempt accommodation

Demand for exempt accommodation is driven in part by a shortage of affordable homes. To solve the issues found in exempt accommodation the Government must solve the wider housing crisis. We reiterate the recommendations from our 2020 report, “Building more …

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13 Apr 2022 | Committee report linked

Lack of capacity constrains local authorities’ support to renters and use of enforcement powers. Many local authorities take a light touch or “fire-fighting” approach, as they do not have the capacity to protect tenants and ensure landlords comply with regulations.14 For example, tenancy relations officers provide valuable support to tenants experiencing illegal eviction or harassment, but very few local authorities can afford to have them.15 Only 10 landlords and letting agents have been ban...

Lack of capacity constrains local authorities’ support to renters and use of enforcement powers. Many local authorities take a light touch or “fire-fighting” approach, as they do not have the capacity to protect tenants and ensure landlords comply with regulations.14 …

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13 Apr 2022 | Committee report linked

To apply for approval for a selective licensing scheme, local authorities need a good understanding of their local private rental market, which is hard to gather without already having a scheme in place.30 The time and resource needed to produce an application, and the requirement that schemes last only five years, present barriers to local authorities.31 The Department says it offers a dialogue with local authorities to help them apply for licensing schemes, but local authorities say there i...

To apply for approval for a selective licensing scheme, local authorities need a good understanding of their local private rental market, which is hard to gather without already having a scheme in place.30 The time and resource needed to produce …

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29 Apr 2021 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that the exclusion of social landlords from the Building Safety Fund and waking watch relief fund except in specific circumstances is having negative consequences for the wider social housing sector. While the £12 billion Affordable Homes Programme is welcome, any funds diverted from building new social homes to pay for cladding remediation will still result in fewer, much-needed, new social homes being built. In addition to our recommendation that social housing providers sh...

We are concerned that the exclusion of social landlords from the Building Safety Fund and waking watch relief fund except in specific circumstances is having negative consequences for the wider social housing sector. While the £12 billion Affordable Homes Programme …

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31 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government creates a cross-Government task force to resolve the conflict between the commitment to end rough sleeping and the current policy on the no recourse to public funds condition. This will require collecting data on the number of people affected and their specific circumstances. It must involve both Ministers and officials from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Home Office with the goal of presenting a policy proposal which will h...

We recommend that the Government creates a cross-Government task force to resolve the conflict between the commitment to end rough sleeping and the current policy on the no recourse to public funds condition. This will require collecting data on the …

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31 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

There has been a lack of recent focus from the Government on wider homelessness, including those suffering in cramped, poor quality temporary accommodation for long periods of time during the pandemic. The Government must ensure its increased homelessness funding does not only benefit those suffering from visible homelessness.

There has been a lack of recent focus from the Government on wider homelessness, including those suffering in cramped, poor quality temporary accommodation for long periods of time during the pandemic. The Government must ensure its increased homelessness funding does …

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31 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

The Government will fail in its homelessness objectives if it continues to oversee the delivery of just a few thousand social rent homes a year. The ongoing shortage of social housing is a clear, long-term obstacle to finding suitable accommodation for people suffering homelessness, as well as forcing local authorities to spend hundreds of million pounds to house families in temporary accommodation with no end in sight. Similarly, there are insufficient affordable options in the private rente...

The Government will fail in its homelessness objectives if it continues to oversee the delivery of just a few thousand social rent homes a year. The ongoing shortage of social housing is a clear, long-term obstacle to finding suitable accommodation …

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17 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

It is uncertain whether the Department will meet its objective of providing 3,300 homes for people sleeping rough by the end of March 2021. Under its Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme, the Department has distributed £161 million funding against bids from local authorities for the provision of 3,300 homes for housing people sleeping rough. Contrary to what it previously told us, the Department expects the majority of these homes to involve the leasing or purchasing of existing buildings (t...

It is uncertain whether the Department will meet its objective of providing 3,300 homes for people sleeping rough by the end of March 2021. Under its Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme, the Department has distributed £161 million funding against bids from …

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17 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

Tackling rough sleeping on its own without addressing homelessness as a whole may even worsen other measures of homelessness, if it means only placing more people in temporary accommodation, thereby adding to the number of homeless households.29 Baroness Casey told us that, in her opinion, not only was a review of the Rough Sleeping Strategy still needed, but there should be a more expansive review which took into account “wider aspects of homelessness, particularly families in temporary acco...

Tackling rough sleeping on its own without addressing homelessness as a whole may even worsen other measures of homelessness, if it means only placing more people in temporary accommodation, thereby adding to the number of homeless households.29 Baroness Casey told …

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17 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

Under its Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme, the Department has distributed £161 million funding against bids from local authorities for the provision of 3,300 homes for housing rough sleepers.76 In October the Department led us to believe the majority of these homes would be new housing, that is, additions to the housing stock.77 In our recent evidence session, however, it clarified that the vast majority would be acquisitions or refurbishments of existing housing (albeit some would be r...

Under its Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme, the Department has distributed £161 million funding against bids from local authorities for the provision of 3,300 homes for housing rough sleepers.76 In October the Department led us to believe the majority of these …

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9 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

The long-term success of the Department’s housing policies depends on it being able to engage effectively with organisations across the housing sector and provide clarity on funding, without losing sight of the needs of those who are unlikely to be able to buy or rent their own home without support. Success in delivering housing relies on close working with local authorities, good relationships with developers, and maximising value for money from the public subsidy of housing. Starter Homes a...

The long-term success of the Department’s housing policies depends on it being able to engage effectively with organisations across the housing sector and provide clarity on funding, without losing sight of the needs of those who are unlikely to be …

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9 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

First Homes, and previously Starter Homes, are aimed at people who want to own their own home and have an income, as the schemes require applicants to raise a mortgage. They are not schemes intended to help house people in temporary accommodation or who are homeless. We asked the Department how it was addressing the needs of these groups. The Department explained that the £12.2 billion Affordable Homes Programme contained other types of new housing supply which were intended to meet a variety...

First Homes, and previously Starter Homes, are aimed at people who want to own their own home and have an income, as the schemes require applicants to raise a mortgage. They are not schemes intended to help house people in …

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9 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

Homes England recognised that success in delivering housing would rely on close working with local authorities, good relationships with developers and mindfulness over land value as the key determinant of delivery and maximising value for money from public subsidy of housing.50 We asked the Department about its plan for long-term support, in recognition that building homes alone was not enough to keep people off the streets. The Department told us that, as part of its rough sleeping accommoda...

Homes England recognised that success in delivering housing would rely on close working with local authorities, good relationships with developers and mindfulness over land value as the key determinant of delivery and maximising value for money from public subsidy of …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The Government should count investment in social housing as infrastructure spending, rather than day-to-day spending. Evidence shows that spending on a long-term social housebuilding programme pays back to the Exchequer over time. Furthermore, such a programme could be counter-cyclical, both protecting and creating jobs during a wider housing downturn caused by COVID-19 economic uncertainty.

The Government should count investment in social housing as infrastructure spending, rather than day-to-day spending. Evidence shows that spending on a long-term social housebuilding programme pays back to the Exchequer over time. Furthermore, such a programme could be counter-cyclical, both …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

The sector estimates that £12.8 billion a year in grant funding will be needed to deliver 90,000 social rent homes every year, alongside continued support for affordable rent and shared ownership. Central government grant funding is necessary because the current funding model is not delivering the numbers required to meet demand. The removal of the borrowing cap for local authorities will contribute only a small percentage of what is needed. This is around a £10 billion increase on current fu...

The sector estimates that £12.8 billion a year in grant funding will be needed to deliver 90,000 social rent homes every year, alongside continued support for affordable rent and shared ownership. Central government grant funding is necessary because the current …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

To ensure the programme can get off to swift start, we recommend the Government allows grant funding to be used flexibly to allow providers to purchase new build homes or homes close to completion from developers which may go unsold in a recession. We suggest the Government looks at the National Clearing House Scheme from 2008—which served a similar purpose during the last recession—as a starting point. (Paragraph 94) Changes to the planning system

To ensure the programme can get off to swift start, we recommend the Government allows grant funding to be used flexibly to allow providers to purchase new build homes or homes close to completion from developers which may go unsold …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

We are concerned the Government is letting history repeat itself, rather than learning its lessons from Starter Homes consultation. The Government has not conducted an analysis of the impact of implementing First Homes on the delivery of social housing through section 106 agreements. The Government has not conducted an analysis of the impact of implementing First Homes on the delivery of social housing through section 106 agreements. First Homes should be added as an affordable housing scheme...

We are concerned the Government is letting history repeat itself, rather than learning its lessons from Starter Homes consultation. The Government has not conducted an analysis of the impact of implementing First Homes on the delivery of social housing through …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

Local authorities should receive 100 per cent of Right to Buy receipts. The time limit for using these receipts to fund a replacement should be extended to five years, rather than three. Councils should also be allowed to combine receipts with other pots, like grant funding, to maximise flexibility. Receipts must be used to fund like-for-like tenure replacements: a sold social rent home should be replaced with a new social rent home. Without these changes, Right to Buy will make achieving the...

Local authorities should receive 100 per cent of Right to Buy receipts. The time limit for using these receipts to fund a replacement should be extended to five years, rather than three. Councils should also be allowed to combine receipts …

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27 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

If the Government’s intention is that the Right to Buy should both give people an opportunity to own their homes, but also to provide resources which will then be reinvested into social housing to ensure one-to-one replacements, then consideration must be given to local authorities who are unable to deliver sufficient replacements 56 Building more social housing because of constraints on land availability. We recommend that the Government has discussions with the Local Government Association ...

If the Government’s intention is that the Right to Buy should both give people an opportunity to own their homes, but also to provide resources which will then be reinvested into social housing to ensure one-to-one replacements, then consideration must …

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