1Introduction
1.Earlier this year we conducted an inquiry into homelessness (“our homelessness inquiry”) that sought to understand why the levels of homelessness were increasing and how support for homeless people could be improved. We took evidence from charities, stakeholders and local authorities and heard first-hand accounts of what it is like to be homeless. We published our findings in August, and set out our conclusions and recommendations for addressing homelessness in England. A key finding was that the services provided to applicants for homeless support are not always adequate. Many local authorities deliver excellent services and work with their residents either to prevent homelessness from occurring or to help achieve a long-term solution. However, we heard too much evidence that the quality of services can vary to an alarming degree. We were told that applicants are frequently dismissed with an assumption that they were to blame or because they were not ‘vulnerable enough’. We recognise the financial challenges faced by local authorities, and the increasing pressure that higher levels of homelessness bring. We believe, however, that more should be done to ensure that vulnerable people receive consistently high levels of service across the country. It is for this reason that the Committee supports the Homelessness Reduction Bill, the Private Member’s Bill introduced by Bob Blackman MP, a member of the Committee.
2.The Bill received its First Reading on 29 June 2016 and is due to have its Second Reading on 28 October. Mr Blackman has published a draft Bill, which we put up on our website and have appended to this Report. The draft Bill aims to place much greater emphasis on local authorities taking preventative measures to help address homelessness before it occurs, and strengthens the provisions for ‘non-priority need’ households. We have conducted a short inquiry into the draft Bill, which has effectively been pre-legislative scrutiny of it. In our report we examine the provisions of the Bill and consider whether they will help to address homelessness in England.
3.Our scrutiny of the text has reinforced our support for the principle of the Bill. We welcome the discussion it has started of the legislation governing responses to homelessness. However there are some points in the draft Bill that need further work and, where appropriate, we make recommendations to help the Bill better achieve its aims. We believe that this report and the evidence we have taken will both improve the Bill and help the House debate its provisions.
© Parliamentary copyright 2015
13 October 2016