Recommendations & Conclusions
21 items
2
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
We support the Government’s plans to raise the standard of social homes over the next decade, while boosting supply. These actions will go some way to improving the quality and safety of social homes. However, the Government’s plans do not address some of the long-term systemic drivers of poor conditions, …
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We support the Government’s plans to raise the standard of social homes over the next decade, while boosting supply. These actions will go some way to improving the quality and safety of social homes. However, the Government’s plans do not address some of the long-term systemic drivers of poor conditions, especially the need to replace some of the country’s ageing stock of social homes, which, in some instances, are being used beyond their intended lifespan. The Long-term Housing Strategy represents an opportunity to address systemic drivers of poor conditions in the social housing sector. (Conclusion, Paragraph 24)
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Government response AI summary
The government states that Phase 1 of Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, and they are working closely with stakeholders on next steps for phases 2 and 3.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
3
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
The Long-term Housing Strategy must put in place a long-term approach for improving and maintaining social homes and addressing the systemic drivers of poor housing quality, especially a long-term approach to the regeneration of existing social homes. We reiterate our call for the Government to publish this strategy as soon …
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The Long-term Housing Strategy must put in place a long-term approach for improving and maintaining social homes and addressing the systemic drivers of poor housing quality, especially a long-term approach to the regeneration of existing social homes. We reiterate our call for the Government to publish this strategy as soon as possible. (Recommendation, Paragraph 25) 45 Raising the standard of social homes
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Government response AI summary
The government published a five-step plan including a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, £2.5 billion in low-interest loans, and an extension of the 'preferential' borrowing rate.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
11
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s changes to the Decent Homes Standard. The current standard has been out-of-date for some time and is in urgent need of reform, given that it was last updated in 2006. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
Government response AI summary
The government responded to its consultation on an updated and modernised Decent Homes Standard and aims to drive down rates of non-decency across the country and support landlords.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
15
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
While we welcome the steps the Government has taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity, a lot of the extra rental income social landlords receive could be absorbed by the new compliance costs placed on them, thereby limiting their ability to invest in new social homes. Even with the Government’s …
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While we welcome the steps the Government has taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity, a lot of the extra rental income social landlords receive could be absorbed by the new compliance costs placed on them, thereby limiting their ability to invest in new social homes. Even with the Government’s investment in social homes and the changes to the rent settlement, we concerned that the sector will not have sufficient resources to effectively meet the Government’s new social homes target while also raising standards over the decade. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63) 47
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights existing programmes and investments aimed at improving the safety, quality, and supply of social housing, including rent policy, building safety funding, low-interest loans, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
16
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
There is a real risk that the costs of new regulatory requirements may lead to an increase in social landlords choosing to sell homes that have reached, or are approaching, the end of their intended lifespan, at a time when social housing is desperately needed. We welcome the changes to …
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There is a real risk that the costs of new regulatory requirements may lead to an increase in social landlords choosing to sell homes that have reached, or are approaching, the end of their intended lifespan, at a time when social housing is desperately needed. We welcome the changes to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme which will allow funds to be directed to replacing homes that “are no longer fit for purpose, meet the needs of the intended client group, or otherwise in use as social and affordable housing.” This is a useful immediate step to prevent the loss of much-need social housing. However, the Long-term Housing Strategy must set a long-term approach to the regeneration of social homes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64)
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights existing programmes and investments aimed at improving the safety, quality, and supply of social housing, including rent policy, building safety funding, low-interest loans, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
17
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
The Government must publish an assessment of the cumulative impact the new regulatory requirements are likely to have on the supply of social homes over the next decade. This assessment should consider how the cumulative costs of the new regulatory requirements are likely to impact the sector’s ability to invest …
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The Government must publish an assessment of the cumulative impact the new regulatory requirements are likely to have on the supply of social homes over the next decade. This assessment should consider how the cumulative costs of the new regulatory requirements are likely to impact the sector’s ability to invest in new supply and the extent to which providers may choose to dispose of social homes that they deem too expensive to bring up to new standards. (Recommendation, Paragraph 65) Supporting social landlords to improve housing conditions
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Government response AI summary
The government claims the Decent Homes Standard Final Impact Assessment and social housing MEES Impact Assessment already set out potential impacts on the supply of new social housing.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
19
Recommendation
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
There is a strong case for the Government to establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme that supports social landlords to raise the standard of social homes. This programme should consist of: a. a single housing quality framework or strategy that consolidates, and aligns, the regulatory requirements on social landlords. …
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There is a strong case for the Government to establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme that supports social landlords to raise the standard of social homes. This programme should consist of: a. a single housing quality framework or strategy that consolidates, and aligns, the regulatory requirements on social landlords. b. a pooled fund that brings together existing funding for improvements to social homes and gives providers greater flexibility. c. local partnerships between local government, social landlords and the private rented sector to address skills and supply chain constraints. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73) 48
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Regulator of Social Housing has introduced a new consumer regulation regime, details its commitment to grant funding, and highlights its work with the industry to provide high-quality training opportunities.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
20
Conclusion
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the …
Accepted
It is vital that there are robust measures of redress in place to resolve disputes about the quality of newly built social homes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
Government response AI summary
The government states it remains committed to implementing a statutory New Homes Ombudsman scheme and that social housing tenants can already access support from the Housing Ombudsman.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
1
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
Much of the evidence we received supports the conclusion that temporary accommodation is often so poor as to be unfit for human habitation. However, the absence of official statistics on the physical condition and quality of temporary accommodation means it is not possible to establish the prevalence and severity of …
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Much of the evidence we received supports the conclusion that temporary accommodation is often so poor as to be unfit for human habitation. However, the absence of official statistics on the physical condition and quality of temporary accommodation means it is not possible to establish the prevalence and severity of poor conditions across England. The National Plan to End Homelessness does not include a commitment to routinely collect and publish information on the physical condition of temporary accommodation. Without this information, we do not have a robust baseline against which to measure the progress of the government’s efforts to improve the physical quality of temporary accommodation. This lack of official data also limits accountability for public money. The government is spending more than ever on temporary accommodation without a good understanding of the quality of provision this money is paying for. This is not acceptable. (Conclusion, Paragraph 14)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the need to understand temporary accommodation quality and commits to investigating options to improve data collection, building on existing surveys, with an update to the Committee in autumn.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
5
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
The government’s plans to extend Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation will provide households with stronger protections against hazards and disrepair. However, while we wait for these reforms, the government should focus on ensuring that the protections that already exist are working effectively. This includes ensuring …
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The government’s plans to extend Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation will provide households with stronger protections against hazards and disrepair. However, while we wait for these reforms, the government should focus on ensuring that the protections that already exist are working effectively. This includes ensuring local authorities are delivering their statutory duty to ensure the suitability of temporary accommodation consistently. (Conclusion, Paragraph 26)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees local authorities must deliver their statutory duty regarding suitability of temporary accommodation, stating that current legislation and the Homelessness Code of Guidance already outline requirements for authorities to review housing conditions and ensure accommodation is free of Category 1 hazards.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
9
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
We are deeply concerned about the lack of space provided to some families living in temporary accommodation and the potentially harmful effects this can have on children’s safety, wellbeing and development. The standards used to determine if homes are statutorily overcrowded are out- of-date and do not reflect the harms …
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We are deeply concerned about the lack of space provided to some families living in temporary accommodation and the potentially harmful effects this can have on children’s safety, wellbeing and development. The standards used to determine if homes are statutorily overcrowded are out- of-date and do not reflect the harms a lack of space can pose to children. Part of the long-term solution to this is increasing the supply of social housing. However, in the meantime, the government needs to get a better 62 understanding of the extent of overcrowding in temporary accommodation and the negative consequences it has for people, especially children. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37)
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Government response AI summary
The government states that existing requirements address overcrowding but commits to working with the sector to better understand the issue, ensure enforcement guidance highlights overcrowding, and investigate options to improve data collection on overcrowding and hazards. They will also use the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
11
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
We agree with the government’s decision to prioritise eliminating the unlawful use of B&B accommodation by the end of the Parliament. The government and councils have made good progress at reducing the number of families living in B&B accommodation longer than six weeks. However, to deliver the government’s national target …
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We agree with the government’s decision to prioritise eliminating the unlawful use of B&B accommodation by the end of the Parliament. The government and councils have made good progress at reducing the number of families living in B&B accommodation longer than six weeks. However, to deliver the government’s national target locally, there are risks that councils may resort to increasing their use of out-of-area placements or other shared accommodation that is potentially unsuitable. Such actions risk substituting one set of harms for another. (Conclusion, Paragraph 45)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged the risk of councils moving families from B&Bs into other unsuitable accommodation or out-of-area placements. They committed to using the £30m Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme, clarifying suitability guidance, setting expectations for councils on placements, and working with stakeholders to identify and tackle …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
13
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
We remain concerned that the definition of B&B in the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2003 does not prevent families being placed in similar accommodation, without any restrictions on the time local authorities can house them there. We recognise that the availability of support in council-owned or voluntary sector …
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We remain concerned that the definition of B&B in the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2003 does not prevent families being placed in similar accommodation, without any restrictions on the time local authorities can house them there. We recognise that the availability of support in council-owned or voluntary sector hostels may benefit some households and help them transition back to living independently. These facilities should only be used as emergency 63 accommodation and for short periods, unless there is an exceptional reason for doing so and the risks are effectively managed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 50)
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Government response AI summary
The government states its commitment to eliminating unlawful B&B use and will review the use of socially managed hostel accommodation, considering further action to reduce or regulate its use and improve practice.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
21
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
We are alarmed to hear of people with physical disabilities, medical conditions and other complex needs being placed in accommodation that is unsuitable for them. Part of the solution to this problem is improving the quality of supply available locally. In the short-term, however, this is another reason why mandatory …
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We are alarmed to hear of people with physical disabilities, medical conditions and other complex needs being placed in accommodation that is unsuitable for them. Part of the solution to this problem is improving the quality of supply available locally. In the short-term, however, this is another reason why mandatory inspections are needed before people are placed in temporary accommodation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the importance of suitable accommodation for those with complex needs, stating it will review and update the Care Act 2014 statutory guidance and publish new support guidance to improve clarity and joined-up practice across services by 2026.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
24
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
In response to this report, we request an update on the options the Government is considering to increase the supply of good-quality supported housing, as part of the Chief Secretary of the Treasury’s review. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75) Managing and improving the supply of temporary accommodation
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In response to this report, we request an update on the options the Government is considering to increase the supply of good-quality supported housing, as part of the Chief Secretary of the Treasury’s review. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75) Managing and improving the supply of temporary accommodation
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the request for an update, stating they are considering supported housing as part of the Thematic Value for Money Review. They highlighted ongoing actions, including £159 million in funding and published guidance for local authorities, and committed to providing continued updates to …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
30
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
The government must require local authorities in their action plans to set out how they plan to reduce their reliance on nightly-paid accommodation and provide updates on their progress. The government should also work with local authorities to understand the barriers that are preventing councils from entering longer-term arrangements with …
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The government must require local authorities in their action plans to set out how they plan to reduce their reliance on nightly-paid accommodation and provide updates on their progress. The government should also work with local authorities to understand the barriers that are preventing councils from entering longer-term arrangements with landlords. (Recommendation, Paragraph 91)
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Government response AI summary
The government stated that local authorities are already required through grant conditions and an accountability toolkit to produce policies and action plans detailing how they will reduce reliance on expensive temporary accommodation. They are also considering incentives for longer-term arrangements as part of the Thematic …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
32
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
We recommend that the Government restore the Local Housing Allowance rates to 30th percentile. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94)
Government response AI summary
The government states that Local Housing Allowance rates were already set to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024, fulfilling the recommendation.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
33
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
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 …
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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)
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Government response AI summary
The government states that existing guidance (Local Government and Accountability Toolkit) already requires local authorities to have long-term plans for temporary accommodation, and they are continuing to explore options to support councils and share effective demand forecasting approaches.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
34
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
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)
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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)
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Government response AI summary
The government states that local authorities are already required to have policies for procuring temporary accommodation, including assessing anticipated demand and having a long-term plan, as detailed in the Local Government and Accountability Toolkit. It will continue to explore options and share effective demand forecasting …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
35
Conclusion
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
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)
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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)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the criticality of boosting affordable and social housing supply, confirming a £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (2026-2036) with an ambition to deliver 300,000 homes, at least 60% for social rent, to tackle homelessness.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
36
Recommendation
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp…
Accepted
We recommend that the government set out how they plan to prioritise bids for grant funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, including how they will take into account value for money. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102)
Government response AI summary
The government states that Homes England and the Greater London Authority have already published full guidance and assessment criteria for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, detailing how bids are assessed and how value for money is considered.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government