CLG Committee calls for Government to reflect on calls to amend draft Homelessness Code of Guidance

Clive Betts, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, has called on the Government to reflect on evidence received by members on the draft Homelessness Code of Guidance, due to be issued to councils prior to the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act in April 2018.

The move comes after hearing from stakeholders, including homelessness charities Crisis and Shelter and the LGA and London Councils, during the session on the Draft Homeless Code of Guidance for Local Authorities last month.

The letter (attached along with additional information from Crisis) to Local Government Minister Marcus Jones, who also gave evidence, highlights concerns that the Draft Code of Guidance does not reflect the spirit of the legislation.

It also notes the concerns of the LGA and London Councils that funding for the implementation of the Act is unlikely to be sufficient.

Clive Betts, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, said: “The draft code was broadly welcomed but we heard from witnesses that, while the guidance is written to the letter of the law, it was not in the spirit of the law. They told us the guidance could do more to encourage a culture change within housing authorities to prevent homelessness early on.

“In London, we heard there could be a funding gap of £67million a year for the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act, so we would like the Minister to spell out a full estimate of the costs and savings associated with the new legislation and give an assurance that councils will have the money that they need.”

ENDS

Editor’s note: The Homelessness Reduction act is due to come in to force in April. The Government is currently consulting on the Draft Homeless Code of Guidance for Local Authorities. The Committee held a session on the guidance on 27 November and heard from: Matt Downie, Director, Policy and External Affairs, Crisis; Deborah Garvie, Policy Manager, Shelter; Councillor Rachel Eburne, Deputy Chair, LGA Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board, and Mid-Suffolk District Councillor, Local Government Association; Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, and Executive Member for Housing, London Councils; Mr Marcus Jones MP, Minister for Local Government, Department for Communities and Local Government; Val Keen, Head of Implementation, Homelessness Reduction Act, Department for Communities and Local Government.