Homelessness Reduction Bill examined
5 September 2016
The Communities and Local Government Committee questions representatives of national homeless charities and local authorities on their reactions to the Homelessness Reduction Bill and the impact they think it could have on levels of homelessness and the potential resource implications for councils.
- Watch Parliament TV: Homelessness Reduction Bill
- Inquiry: Homelessness Reduction Bill
- Communities and Local Government Committee
Witnesses
Monday 5 September 2016, Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
At 4.00pm: Charity representatives
- Kate Webb, Head of Policy, Shelter
- Matthew Downie, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Crisis
- Dominic Williamson, Executive Director of Strategy and Policy, St Mungo's
At 5.00pm: Local authority representatives
- Justine Harris, Housing Options Manager, Brighton and Hove City Council
- Rhys Makinson, Director of Housing Support Services, London Borough of Camden
- Cllr Frank Hont, Cabinet Member for Housing, Liverpool City Council
- Heather Wood, Head of Housing Advice and Options, South Cambridgeshire District Council
Purpose of the session
The Committee scrutinises the Private Member's Bill, which has been published by Committee member Bob Blackman MP, and examines whether it will achieve its aim of reducing levels of homelessness. This inquiry follows the Committee's report on homelessness, which called for improved support and assistance for homeless people.
The Committee hears from representatives of Crisis, Shelter and St Mungo's and from councillors and officers from Brighton and Hove, Liverpool, Camden and South Cambridgeshire councils. Areas of questioning include homelessness prevention, support for non-priority need applicants and a proposed new code of practice.
Homelessness Reduction Bill
The Bill, which is supported by all the Committee members, includes provisions to intervene earlier to prevent homelessness, provide a robust package of support and assistance to single homeless people and enforce homelessness legislation effectively.
The inquiry follows the Bill's first reading on 29 June 2016 and comes ahead of its second reading on 28 October 2016, when MPs will debate the Bill and decide whether it should continue to progress through Parliament. The Bill includes provisions to intervene earlier to prevent homelessness, provide a robust package of support and assistance to single homeless people and enforce homelessness legislation effectively.
It is an innovative approach for a Select Committee to sponsor a Bill on the back of an inquiry and conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of it in this way. Mr Blackman will be present at the public sessions but only to clarify points of uncertainty about the Bill and not to question witnesses.
Further information
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