A “revolution” in how homeless people are looked after in England was today backed by the Government, ripping up a 40-year-old rulebook that penalises single men and women.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said ministers will support London MP Bob Blackman’s Homeless Reduction private member’s bill when it gets its second reading in the Commons on Friday.
Current rules, which date back to 1977, stipulate that only single mothers and fathers, those with mental health issues or victims of domestic violence and those who have recently left the armed forces can go to the front of the queue for housing assistance.
The private member’s Bill will place a new duty on councils to prevent the homelessness of anyone eligible for assistance within 56 days, regardless of their official “priority need” status.
Local authorities who fail to find suitable accommodation after 56 days will then be required to house people in temporary accommodation for a further 56 days.
Mr Blackman, Conservative member for Harrow East, said he was delighted to have the “Government machine” behind the Bill, as private members’ Bills often fall victim to being “talked out” by resistant MPs.
He said: “This is a revolution because for 40 years local authorities have rationed the services they provide — turning away anyone who is not priority need. Now when this Bill becomes law, local authorities will be expected to provide help and assistance to anyone threatened with homelessness or who is homeless.”
In the past 12 months 8,196 people have slept rough on the capital’s streets. Mr Blackman said: “Single men and women are the exact people this Bill is aimed at helping the most. If it works as intended then if they approach the local authority they should end up with an offer of assistance in the private sector. Eventually the idea will be that people should not become homeless at all.”
Mr Javid said: “Bob has been a passionate campaigner on this issue and his Bill will help many homeless people in London and prevent many more from becoming homeless in the first place.”
Mr Blackman said he is confident boroughs will get more funding to deal with the proposed legislation’s onus on housing more homeless people.
Paul Noblet, head of public affairs for Centrepoint, said: “For too long responses to the problem of youth homelessness have been focused largely on providing a safe place to stay at the time of greatest need. This Bill, and its backing by the Government, will make a big difference by preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place. But it is vital that along with these legal duties, councils also receive the funding from the Government to carry them out.”
