Recommendation 33

We were impressed by the large network of partners—including multiple UK and Welsh Government funded housing advisors as well as third sector providers—working hard to ensure Welsh prisoners were released into suitable accommodation and not released into homelessness. However, we are concerned by the multiple reports we heard of prison resettlement teams making referrals to local authorities at extremely short notice: this poses significant challenges to those responsible for identifying suitable accommodation, whether temporary or permanent. Similarly, we are concerned by the significant impact that the UK Government’s decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates until 2027 will have on Welsh prison leavers’ abilities to maintain their tenancies and avoid homelessness, given that we have seen evidence showing that Wales is disproportionately affected by the freeze in rates. (Conclusion, Paragraph 125)