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Homelessness bill would focus councils on prevention Ministers pledge to meet costs of homelessness bill
(about 2 hours later)
A bill aimed at making English councils do more to stop people being made homeless is being debated by MPs. The government has pledged its "full and unfettered" support for a bill that would force councils in England to do more to tackle homelessness.
The private member's bill, sponsored by Conservative Bob Blackman, is being supported by the government. Bob Blackman MP said it was a "national disgrace" that a single person should have to sleep rough.
But former housing ministers say the government must commit more funding if it is to succeed. His private member's bill aims to reform the law to make sure more people get help before losing their home.
The bill would place a duty on councils to help those at risk of homelessness to secure accommodation 56 days before being made homeless. A former housing minister had warned that councils would need more funding to fulfil the commitment.
Live updates: MPs debate bill to reduce homelessness As-it-happened: Homelessness debate
According to the government, 57,750 households in England were classed as homeless and in priority need of support in 2016-16, up 6% on the previous year. The well-attended debate saw MPs from different parties broadly support the private member's bill.
Mr Blackman's Homelessness Reduction Bill would make amendments to the 1996 Housing Act to change the definition of being "threatened with homelessness", obliging councils to assess people at risk of homelessness at an earlier stage. It passed its first Parliamentary hurdle in the Commons on Friday when it was approved by MPs without any votes against it. The Homelessness Reduction Bill will now go forward for detailed scrutiny.
Communities and Local Government Minister Marcus Jones reiterated the government's "full and unfettered support" for the Homelessness Reduction Bill, adding that the government would fund the extra costs to councils arising from the changes it proposes.
Conservative MP Mr Blackman's bill amends the 1996 Housing Act to change the definition of being "threatened with homelessness", obliging councils to assess people at risk of homelessness at an earlier stage.
Currently the threat of homelessness is defined as beginning 28 days before a person is likely to become homeless.Currently the threat of homelessness is defined as beginning 28 days before a person is likely to become homeless.
The bill would extend that period to 56 days, giving people longer to seek help from their local authority. It would also oblige councils to offer support in finding accommodation for people who become homeless for a further 56 days. The bill would extend that period to 56 days, giving people longer to seek help from their local authority.
Housing lists
It would also oblige councils to offer support in finding accommodation for people who become homeless for a further 56 days.
The categories of people eligible for council support would also be expanded, in a move away from the current focus on "priority housing lists" based on applicants' vulnerabilities.The categories of people eligible for council support would also be expanded, in a move away from the current focus on "priority housing lists" based on applicants' vulnerabilities.
'National disgrace' Harrow East MP Mr Blackman called for a "culture change in councils", moving their priorities from "crisis management" to a pro-active approach in preventing homelessness.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said the government was "very pleased" to support the bill, adding that ministers were committed to "do all we can to help those who lose their homes and provide them with the support they need to get their lives back on track."
Presenting the bill to the Commons, Harrow East MP Mr Blackman called it a "national disgrace" that a single person should have to sleep rough in the UK.
He said he had looked at the experience of the Welsh Assembly, which introduced similar measures in 2015 and had since seen a 69% reduction in the number of households receiving homelessness duty.He said he had looked at the experience of the Welsh Assembly, which introduced similar measures in 2015 and had since seen a 69% reduction in the number of households receiving homelessness duty.
'Lack of housing'
The bill received cross-party support during the debate, with Labour's Emma Reynolds saying that putting money into homelessness prevention would "save money in the long term," while Conservative MP Tania Mathias said that the bill's proposal to move focus away from priority housing lists would help council staff avoid the "cruelty" of that system.The bill received cross-party support during the debate, with Labour's Emma Reynolds saying that putting money into homelessness prevention would "save money in the long term," while Conservative MP Tania Mathias said that the bill's proposal to move focus away from priority housing lists would help council staff avoid the "cruelty" of that system.
Responding to the bill, shadow housing secretary John Healey called for more government support for local authorities, saying: "If ministers mean what they say about homelessness, they must do two things: fund the costs of the extra duties in this bill in full, and tackle the causes of the homelessness crisis in this country." For Labour, shadow housing secretary John Healey called for more government support for local authorities, saying: "If ministers mean what they say about homelessness, they must do two things: fund the costs of the extra duties in this bill in full, and tackle the causes of the homelessness crisis in this country."
Conservative former housing minister Mark Prisk said there "will be the need, when required, for additional funding for many councils in order for them to fulfil that commitment".Conservative former housing minister Mark Prisk said there "will be the need, when required, for additional funding for many councils in order for them to fulfil that commitment".
Labour's Stephen Pound said that in many cases local authorities were simply unable to house homeless people, saying that "councils don't lack empathy, they lack housing."Labour's Stephen Pound said that in many cases local authorities were simply unable to house homeless people, saying that "councils don't lack empathy, they lack housing."
Chairman of the Local Government Association Lord Porter echoed concerns over a lack of housing, saying: "It is clear that legislative change alone will not resolve homelessness.Chairman of the Local Government Association Lord Porter echoed concerns over a lack of housing, saying: "It is clear that legislative change alone will not resolve homelessness.
"If we are all to succeed, then all new duties proposed in the bill will need to be fully funded. Councils need powers to resume our role as a major builder of affordable homes.""If we are all to succeed, then all new duties proposed in the bill will need to be fully funded. Councils need powers to resume our role as a major builder of affordable homes."