, the Member of Parliament for
Islwyn, has said that the UK Government can learn from the Welsh
Government on homelessness.
Speaking during the Estimates Day debate in Parliament on
homelessness, Mr Evans highlighted the 78,000 families living in
temporary households in England, including 120,000 children.
Families in temporary accommodation have no permanent place to
call home.
The Gwent MP drew attention to the 2014 Housing (Wales) Act which
came into force in 2016. The Welsh legislation has reformed
homelessness law, placing a legal duty on local authorities take
a greater role in preventing homelessness and allow local
authorities to use suitable accommodation in the private sector
if necessary.
Although the long term effects of the Act are not yet clear,
local authorities in Wales have been able to assist more people
and reduced the number of people who remain homeless.
Mr Evans said: ‘The UK government’s ‘light touch’ approach to
homelessness in England is clearly failing, with tens of
thousands of families living in insecurity without a home to call
their own. It is a national disgrace in a rich country such as
ours.
‘Ministers must look into examples of innovative practices in the
devolved nations, including Wales and Scotland for a solution to
this problem. The Housing Act has improved the supply, quality
and standards of housing in Wales.
‘Homeless families in England could benefit from the same
progress if only the UK government would take action. They have a
duty to act by following in Wales’ footsteps while also building
more social housing, reducing private rent costs, and reforming
Local Housing Allowance in the interest of those who need it
most.’
