Written evidence submitted by The Centre for Homelessness Impact (TH0025)
The Centre for Homelessness Impact exists to act as a catalyst for evidence-led change, so that homelessness is prevented where possible and is otherwise rare, brief and non-recurring. We work throughout the UK and regularly share learning of what works to end homelessness internationally. As the Committee will be aware, the number of households in temporary accommodation in England is now at its highest level ever - at more than 117,000. What’s more, underlying trends and pressures suggest this figure is likely to rise further still. Spending on homelessness services is now at its highest level ever, with England spending more than £2bn on homelessness in 2023-24, of which three quarters is spent on temporary accommodation. Our submission focuses on temporary accommodation and makes a number of recommendations on how better value could be achieved. This learning comes from extensive work alongside local authorities and further detail can be found in reports published here.
While a great deal of focus has been on the potential for LAs to issue Section 114 notices (effectively declaring bankruptcy) it is clear that this spending has the potential to impact spending within local authorities themselves. For example, by causing other spending to be reduced to accommodate the growth in spending on temporary accommodation. Data from local government needs to be analysed and understood, to work out where councils might be reducing certain budgets to meet shortfalls in others.
Unlike for rough sleeping, at present there is no national strategy in place that relates to temporary accommodation. While the government is working on a cross-governmental strategy on homelessness, we must ensure that it considers the future vision of how temporary accommodation should be used and funded. Such a strategy should also outline clear responsibilities across government for temporary accommodation and set out how progress will be monitored and evaluated. In addition, any strategy should consider temporary
accommodation quality; there is a risk at present that temporary accommodation in use now may be unsafe or of poor quality, and so national standards may be an option worth addressing.
Through our work on this issue, we have found that a varied picture exists when it comes to local authorities, the pressures they feel and the nature of their spending on temporary accommodation. However, we know that there are robust actions that can be taken to bring spending under control. Those local authorities that appear to be taking action successfully have done so by taking a data-led approach and having clear governance structures. We recommend that a review of the data that local authorities hold on temporary accommodation costs and use should be undertaken, and consideration given to how well local authorities are planning for demand or meeting rising costs.
The Centre for Homelessness Impact has published a series of reports in recent months which look at temporary accommodation and how its costs are managed at a local level. We will be glad to provide further information from these reports should it be of benefit to the Committee.
November 2024