Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
2
Conclusion
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
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 …
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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 currently on local authority housing registers. Not only are we in a housing crisis, but we are also in a temporary accommodation crisis too. (Conclusion, Paragraph 21)
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights the role of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) in investigating complaints and notes that the LGSCO received increased funding for 2025/26 due to increased demand. However, it does not address the core concern regarding the extended duration of stays …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
5
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
We are disappointed in the Minister for Homelessness and Democracy’s response that vulnerable families living in B&Bs should be expected to “raise a challenge in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman” when local authorities do not fulfil their statutory obligations. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
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We are disappointed in the Minister for Homelessness and Democracy’s response that vulnerable families living in B&Bs should be expected to “raise a challenge in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman” when local authorities do not fulfil their statutory obligations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 44) If the Government believes that the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the most suitable avenue for redress when local authorities fail to adhere to their statutory duties regarding temporary accommodation, the Government must work with the Ombudsman to review its resourcing, statutory jurisdiction, and powers, so that it can investigate all complaints of unsuitable temporary accommodation and take appropriate action with haste. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)
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Government response AI summary
The government did not address the recommendation to review the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's resourcing or powers. Instead, it highlighted its aim to reduce emergency accommodation use for families and the ongoing £8 million Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots with 20 local authorities.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
6
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
We are alarmed to hear examples of families housed in temporary accommodation that included spaces shared with single adults with a history of domestic abuse. This is completely inappropriate and poses a potential safeguarding risk to children. Currently, there is no explicit ban on placements of families in accommodation with …
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We are alarmed to hear examples of families housed in temporary accommodation that included spaces shared with single adults with a history of domestic abuse. This is completely inappropriate and poses a potential safeguarding risk to children. Currently, there is no explicit ban on placements of families in accommodation with single adults, and we do not believe that the Code of Guidance goes far enough to ensure the wellbeing of children and families at safeguarding risk. (Conclusion, Paragraph 45) 44 The Government must update the Code of Guidance to clearly demonstrate local authorities’ foremost duty to mitigate safeguarding risks when making decisions on placements for families with children. The Government should work with local authorities to bring an end to placements of families in temporary accommodation with kitchens or bathrooms shared with single adults housed in the same building. (Recommendation, Paragraph 45)
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Government response AI summary
The government deflected the recommendation to update the Code of Guidance on safeguarding in shared facilities by discussing existing reporting requirements for out-of-area placements and its efforts to improve the presentation, quality, and accessibility of this data.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
7
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
The use of the term “B&B” in legislation means that the law does not prevent families being placed in similarly inappropriate accommodation, such as some hostels, which are not always covered by the six-week limit. (Conclusion, Paragraph 46) In its response to this Report, the Government should set out its …
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The use of the term “B&B” in legislation means that the law does not prevent families being placed in similarly inappropriate accommodation, such as some hostels, which are not always covered by the six-week limit. (Conclusion, Paragraph 46) In its response to this Report, the Government should set out its assessment of whether the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2023 is fit for purpose; and whether updating legislation and the Code of Guidance to refer to “non-self-contained accommodation” rather than “B&Bs” would enhance protections for families placed in temporary accommodation with shared facilities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46)
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Government response AI summary
The government did not directly assess the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2023 or the proposed change in terminology from 'B&Bs' to 'non-self-contained accommodation'. Instead, it noted challenges with local placements and stated it would consider ways to further define acceptable out-of-area placements.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
11
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
The Government must issue guidance to discourage local authorities from acquiring properties outside of their authority boundaries to use as temporary accommodation. Where this is not possible, the local authority must notify prospective host local authorities before it purchases any properties out-of-area. The Government should consult on introducing a limit …
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The Government must issue guidance to discourage local authorities from acquiring properties outside of their authority boundaries to use as temporary accommodation. Where this is not possible, the local authority must notify prospective host local authorities before it purchases any properties out-of-area. The Government should consult on introducing a limit on the distance of all out-of-area placements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 62)
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Government response AI summary
The government deflected the recommendation, stating the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) is developing a long-term homelessness strategy and will review its purpose after publication, but did not address the specific requests for guidance on out-of-area property acquisition, pre-purchase notification, or consulting on distance limits.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
12
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
We are deeply concerned to hear that several local authorities may be falling short of their legal duties regarding out-of-area placements, particularly the requirement to notify the host authority after placements are completed. There is currently no requirement for local authorities to notify a prospective host authority before it makes …
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We are deeply concerned to hear that several local authorities may be falling short of their legal duties regarding out-of-area placements, particularly the requirement to notify the host authority after placements are completed. There is currently no requirement for local authorities to notify a prospective host authority before it makes an out-of-area placement, meaning opportunities to mitigate the impacts of these placements on families and host authorities may be missed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63) The Government should update the Code of Guidance to require local authorities to notify the host authority before they make an out-of-area placement. This will ensure local authorities are co-operating and sharing local expertise effectively, to ensure suitable accommodation and support is available to families placed out-of-area, and to mitigate the impacts on host authorities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 63)
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Government response AI summary
The government deflected the recommendation to update the Code of Guidance for pre-notification of out-of-area placements. Instead, it mentioned the Inter-Ministerial Group's work on homelessness and plans to extend Awaab's Law to the private rented sector and temporary accommodation through future regulations and consultation.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
14
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
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 …
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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 education. (Recommendation, Paragraph 65) The Government’s strategy to end homelessness
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Government response AI summary
The government did not address the recommendation to update on connecting homelessness data with other public services or improving data collection for A&E, GP, and school absenteeism. Instead, it highlighted general efforts to publish a homelessness strategy, increase homelessness funding, boost affordable housing, and progress …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
16
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
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 …
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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 strategy. The Government should publish updates on the Inter-Ministerial Group’s work after each of its meetings, including a summary of what was discussed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 72)
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Government response AI summary
The government did not provide any of the requested updates on the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), its meetings, attendance, or engagement with children and families. Instead, it detailed funding for the Local Authority Housing Fund, efforts to boost affordable housing supply, and plans for the Future …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
17
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
The Group should consider how Awaab’s Law will be extended to temporary accommodation. The strategy on ending homelessness must clearly outline how all accommodation providers will be expected to fulfil this new requirement. Once Awaab’s Law is in force in temporary accommodation, the Government must require local authorities to provide …
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The Group should consider how Awaab’s Law will be extended to temporary accommodation. The strategy on ending homelessness must clearly outline how all accommodation providers will be expected to fulfil this new requirement. Once Awaab’s Law is in force in temporary accommodation, the Government must require local authorities to provide homeless residents with information about their rights and the complaints process. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73) 47
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Government response AI summary
The government did not address the recommendation concerning the extension of Awaab's Law to temporary accommodation, nor did it commit to outlining this in the homelessness strategy or requiring local authorities to provide information on tenant rights. Instead, it focused on its commitment to increasing …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
18
Recommendation
1st Report - England’s Homeless Childre…
Deferred
The Group should also consider whether the current balance of responsibilities for homelessness policy between local authorities and central government is compatible with a national strategy on tackling homelessness. The strategy on ending homelessness must address how government ministers will take ownership of and be held accountable for progress towards …
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The Group should also consider whether the current balance of responsibilities for homelessness policy between local authorities and central government is compatible with a national strategy on tackling homelessness. The strategy on ending homelessness must address how government ministers will take ownership of and be held accountable for progress towards ending homelessness and delivering on the commitments in the strategy. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)
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Government response AI summary
The government recognized the importance of balancing responsibilities and accountability for homelessness policy, stating that the forthcoming homelessness strategy will provide more detail on these matters.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government