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UK Parliament

Homelessness Reduction Bill inquiry launched

26 August 2016

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The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee announces it is conducting a pre-legislative inquiry to look at the Homelessness Reduction Bill.

The Homelessness Reduction Bill 

On 18 August 2016 the Communities and Local Government Committee published its report into homelessness. On the same day, Committee member Bob Blackman MP published a Private Members' Bill titled the Homelessness Reduction Bill.

The Bill received its first reading on 29 June 2016 and is scheduled to receive its second reading on 28 October 2016. At the second reading MPs will debate the Bill and decide whether it should continue to progress through Parliament. Before this happens, the CLG Committee will be examining the Bill and asking whether it will achieve its aim of reducing levels of homelessness.

The Bill includes provisions to intervene earlier to prevent homelessness, provide a robust package of support and assistance to single homeless people and enforce the homelessness legislation effectively.

Chair's comments

Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Committee, said

"Our inquiry found evidence of some very worrying trends and clear evidence that homelessness is increasing. Of particular concern is the wide variation in the level of service and support offered by councils, especially to those people who are not judged as being in priority need. As a Committee, we want to use this opportunity to make sure that the Private Members' Bill from one of our members helps to address the problems we identified in our report."

Call for written submissions

The Committee's inquiry is therefore seeking views on the Bill and is asking for evidence on the following:

  • The Bill's anticipated impact on overall levels of homelessness
  • The provisions for homeless people who are not judged to be in priority need
  • The benefits of prevention activity as a statutory duty
  • The resource implications for local authorities and options for addressing this
  • The potential for increased preventative practice and innovation amongst other public agencies
  • Other measures that should be included in the Bill

The deadline for written submissions is Friday 2 September 2016.

Further information

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