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Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

Tackling homelessness

Status: Closed Opened: 31 Oct 2024 Closed: 3 Apr 2025 18 recommendations 20 conclusions 1 report

All forms of homelessness are increasing. In 2022-23, there were over 100,000 households in England living in temporary accommodation, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 extended the duties for councils to work more on prevention and relief. Since then, homelessness has worsened due to factors including a continuing shortage …

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Tackling homelessness HC 352 24 Jan 2025 38 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
1 Conclusion 4th Report - Tackling homelessness Acknowledged

Committee scrutinised government effectiveness and strategies in tackling rising homelessness issues.

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) on the effectiveness of government in tackling homelessness.1 We also received written submissions from a large number …

Government response. The government states it will provide plans alongside the Treasury Minute for incentivising local authorities to improve their homelessness prevention duties.
HM Treasury
23 Conclusion 4th Report - Tackling homelessness Acknowledged

Local authorities face rising 'Temporary Accommodation Subsidy loss' from outdated LHA rates

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 …

Government response. The government states the recommendation is implemented and DWP wrote to the Committee on 21 February 2025, setting out its justification for the current Local Housing Allowance levels that lead to the temporary accommodation subsidy loss.
HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
2 Dec 2024 Catherine Frances · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, James Wolfe · Department for Work and Pensions, Jenan Hasan · Department for Work & Pensions, Penny Hobman · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sarah Healey CB CVO · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
7 Apr 2025 To cttee Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and…