Recommendation 25

Each of the UK devolved administrations has an overarching homelessness strategy or action plan. In late 2023, the Welsh Government also issued a consultation on homelessness, including proposals such as: extending local authorities’ prevention duty to six months; targeting prevention activities towards those most at risk; and improving standards relating to the suitability of accommodation. In addition, in March 2024, the Scottish Government introduced a housing bill that included new duties around homelessness prevention and strengthening tenants’ rights. By contrast, there is no strategy or target for statutory homelessness in England, even though this Committee recommended this in 2017, and the Government subsequently agreed to publish a strategy by July 2018.34