Recommendation 1
We recommend that DLUHC should lead on adopting a genuinely cross-departmental approach to tackling homelessness, which might involve establishing a dedicated joint unit to oversee the implementation of the approach
Source · National Audit Office
The effectiveness of government in tackling homelessness
Assessing whether DLUHC is working with government departments and local authorities to maximise their ability to tackle homelessness
Published: 23 Jul 2024
Recommendations: 9
Type: Value for Money
NAO confirmed: 9
Department: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
We recommend that DLUHC should lead on producing a long-term strategy, and associated public targets, with regard to statutory homelessness.
Recommendation 3
We recommend that DLUHC should explore how it can provide local authorities with greater predictability of funding for homelessness, within a spending review period.
Recommendation 4
We recommend that DLUHC should consider how it can support local authorities to focus more on homelessness prevention.
Recommendation 5
We recommend that DLUHC should consider how the quality of B&B accommodation could be improved.
Recommendation 6
We recommend that DLUHC should establish a way for local authorities to more easily understand innovative practice and potential solutions in homelessness services from other authorities.
Recommendation 7
We recommend that DLUHC should consider how it might enhance its analysis function to improve its understanding of, and publish data on, repeat homelessness and out-of-area temporary accommodation placements
Recommendation 8
As part of the next spending review, and to support a cross-cutting approach to tackling homelessness, we recommend that HM Treasury should review and seek to simplify cross-departmental funding for homelessness.
Recommendation 9
As part of the next spending review, and to support a cross-cutting approach to tackling homelessness, we recommend that HM Treasury should consider ways to incentivise government departments to support homelessness prevention, to deliver better outcomes and improved value for money.
Public Accounts Committee follow-up
The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.