Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
DLUHC data inadequately tracks duration and current numbers of Ukrainian households experiencing homelessness.
Conclusion
DLUHC told us that it would like to avoid any of those taking part in the scheme from experiencing homelessness or the risk of homelessness, but noted that the current levels were “relatively low”.26 The NAO found that between 24 February 2022 and 31 August 2023, 4,890 households in England on Homes for Ukraine visas had at some point been homeless or had come within 56 days of being homeless. The NAO found that the data held by DLUHC did not show for how long people on the scheme were at risk of homelessness or experienced homelessness, nor how many people on the scheme were currently affected. The data did, however, show that since the start of 2023, at any one time, roughly 600 to 800 Ukrainian households (whether on Homes for Ukraine visas or resident in the UK through a different path) had been living in temporary accommodation in England. An ONS survey in spring 2023, of people on the scheme who arrived before 15 June 2022, suggested that 4% of people in this group were living in temporary or emergency accommodation provided by the council or did not have anywhere to live.27
Government Response Summary
The government states DLUHC has already improved local authority data collection on Ukraine homelessness, increasing response rates to 90% through close collaboration and reminders. It also imputes data for non-responding authorities to maintain an accurate picture.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has already taken action to improve how many local authorities respond to data collection on Ukraine homelessness. The department has worked closely with local authorities to boost the response rate, identifying where submissions are missing, incomplete or of poor quality. 2.3 Local authorities are also sent multiple reminders to complete their returns and where appropriate, can request brief extensions for submission. The effectiveness of these efforts is reflected in the latest collection (February 2024), which received a 90% response rate, increasing from a 67% response rate in June 2023. 2.4 To maintain a high response, the department will continue to work closely with local authorities through the actions set out above. Where local authorities do not respond to a particular collection, the department imputes data on the number of homelessness duties owed from their last response to maintain an accurate picture of trends. Using this approach, the latest publication included data for the number of duties owed from 98% of local authorities. 2.5 Alongside collecting the management information, the department works closely with local authorities through the Homelessness Advice and Support Team, a team of experts seconded in from the homelessness sector, to understand local pressures.