Homelessness

English law defines somebody as homeless if they have no accommodation, or it is not reasonable for them to continue to occupy the accommodation they have. The Department for Communities and Local Government (the Department) is responsible for setting national policy on homelessness, and leads on implementing it across government. The Department’s objectives for homelessness are: to prevent at‑risk people from becoming homeless in the first place; to rapidly intervene with people who are already homeless; and to help people who are long-term homeless to recover from their homelessness and move into stable accommodation.

The Department also distributes homelessness funding to local authorities, which have a statutory duty to provide advice and assistance to all households that are homeless or are threatened with homelessness. Local authorities are also responsible for providing temporary accommodation to homeless households that are entitled to it in law. These households are typically referred to as being statutory homeless.

Homelessness in England in each of its various forms has increased in recent years. The number of rough sleepers stood at more than 4,000 in the autumn of 2016, having increased from fewer than 1,800 in the autumn of 2010. The number of homeless households in temporary accommodation has also increased, rising from fewer than 49,000 in March 2011 to around 77,000 in March 2017. The use of temporary accommodation is concentrated in London, and 70% of households in temporary accommodation are placed there by London boroughs.

In response to increasing homelessness pressures, demand for local authorities’ prevention activities has also increased in recent years. The number of prevention cases increased from just under 141,000 in 2009-10 to just under 200,000 in 2016-17. Local authority assistance to prevent homelessness includes support to enable families at risk of homelessness to stay in their own homes, or to secure alternative accommodation.

In October 2016, the Department supported the introduction of legislation which will increase the homelessness duties of local authorities. The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 will give local authorities greater responsibility for preventing homelessness. The Act secured royal assent in April 2017, and is likely to come into force with effect from April 2018.

This report examines whether the Department is achieving value for money in its administration of homelessness policy. To demonstrate value for money, the Department should show that it has understood the causes and costs of homelessness, that it is using this understanding to drive the effective use of its resources, and is leading government efforts to tackle homelessness effectively.

• Part One of this report sets out the causes and costs of homelessness;
• Part Two sets out the response of local government to homelessness; and
• Part Three sets out the Department’s leadership in reducing homelessness.

Homelessness policy is devolved and there are different legal definitions and government responses in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This report examines homelessness in England only.