Source · National Audit Office

The effectiveness of government in tackling homelessness

Published: 23 Jul 2024 Recommendations: 9 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 9 Department: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Assessing whether DLUHC is working with government departments and local authorities to maximise their ability to tackle homelessness

Dept: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Topics: HousingLocal governmentLocal service deliveryLocal services and housing nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

9 items

8 accepted 1 partially accepted 9 implemented

Rec	Recommendation	Addressee	Acceptance	Implementation
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 Ref Page 13, 20a · Implemented Q3 2025-26	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
2	We recommend that DLUHC should lead on producing a long-term strategy, and associated public targets, with regard to statutory homelessness. Ref Page 13, 20b · Implemented Q3 2025-26	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Partially accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
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. Ref Page 13, 21c · Implemented Q4 2025-26	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
4	We recommend that DLUHC should consider how it can support local authorities to focus more on homelessness prevention. Ref Page 13, 21d · Implemented Q1 2025-26	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
5	We recommend that DLUHC should consider how the quality of B&B accommodation could be improved. Ref Page 13, 21e · Implemented Q4 2024-25	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
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. Ref Page 13, 21f · Implemented Q3 2025-26	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
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 Ref Page 13, 21g · Implemented Q2 2025-26	Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
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. Ref Page 13, 22h · Implemented Q1, 2025-26	HM Treasury	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
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. Ref Page 13, 22i · Implemented Q1, 2025-26	HM Treasury	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO

Public Accounts Committee follow-up

1 report

The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.

24 Jan 2025 Public Accounts C… 4th Report - Tackling homelessness — 20 recommendations · parliament.uk