Homelessness
Housing First is not the only solution to homelessness
Closing good quality, short-term supported housing in favour of Housing First would reduce significantly the number of people councils could support, says Lee Buss-Blair.
Refugees who refuse housing offers to become homeless
Afghan refugees who turn down two offers of accommodation could be referred to councils as homeless.
Court rules housing for homeless families must be appropriate
A judicial review at the Court of Session in Scotland has concluded councils have an ‘absolute duty’ to take into account families’ needs.
Targeting an end to rough sleeping
Even political rivals want minister Eddie Hughes to deliver on the target of ending rough sleeping in England within two years. But is the Government dragging its feet on expanding the ‘really important’ Housing First scheme? Dan Peters reports.
Councils seek clarity on homeless refugees
Councils are still awaiting clarity from the Government on support for Ukrainian refugees at risk of homelessness.
Clear up the logjam
We need more work on systems which aren’t up to scratch to bring Ukrainians to the UK, says Sir Bob Neill – but the improvements required will put further pressures on local authorities.
Alarm bells ring over scrapping of housing rule
The Government risks ‘drastically undermining’ London’s ambitions to boost affordable housebuilding and tackle homelessness in the capital, a senior councillor has warned.
Councils to fund housing for homeless refugees
Local authorities will have to pick up the bill for accommodating homeless Ukrainian refugees from their own budgets, a minister has said.
Homeless deaths increase 80% in two years
The number of people dying while homeless has increased by 80% in two years, shocking new research reveals.
Data issues hampering councils' refugee response
Councils are struggling to prepare for the arrival of refugees due to a lack of quality data, MPs have been told.
Young refugees to provide fresh challenge for councils
The local government sector is braced for the challenge of protecting a wave of children fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Call for tougher regulation of exempt housing
Councils have shared concerns some providers of ‘exempt’ accommodation are exploiting the sector as ‘a licence to print money’.
Councils remain in dark as refugees arrive
Councils are still awaiting full details of their role in supporting Ukrainian refugees as the first families arrive in the UK this week.
Councils to step in if 'Homes for Ukraine' fails
Under guidance newly published by the Government, statutory homelessness duties will apply to refugees if relations with sponsors break down, leaving councils to pick up the pieces.
Help is at hand in Calderdale
Calderdale Council is offering a broad range of help to residents being hit by the cost of living crisis, says Cllr Tim Swift.
LGA to water down out-of-area protocol
The Local Government Association (LGA) will water down its proposals for a sector-wide agreement when councils place homeless people outside of their boundaries.
A huge step forward on ending rough sleeping
By scrapping the Vagrancy Act we are a huge step closer to ending rough sleeping, says the MP who led the campaign, Nickie Aiken.
Rough sleeping figures fall by nearly 10%
Government figures have revealed that the number of people sleeping rough has decreased by 9%.
Homelessness levels could rise by a third by 2024, research warns
The number of homeless people in England could increase by a third by 2024, new research has warned today.
Helping our homeless
The scale of the success of the Everyone In initiative in tackling rough sleeping should not be underestimated, and there is now a host of creative projects from which to adopt best practice, says Sir Bob Neill.
