DCLG announced Homeless Reduction Bill

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has revealed a new Homeless Reduction Bill which will aims to significantly reform England’s homeless legislation, ensuring that more people can receive the help they need to prevent them from becoming homeless.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “No one should have to sleep rough on the streets. We want to build a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. That’s why we are determined to do all we can to help those who lose their homes and provide them with the support they need to get their lives back on track.

“This government is therefore, very pleased to support Bob Blackman MP’s Private Members Bill, with its ambitious measures to help reduce homelessness.”

The Homelessness Reduction Bill was introduced to Parliament by Bob Blackman MP and required that councils provide new homelessness services to those affected, and not just those protected under existing legislation.

The new legislation places a duty on local authorities to help eligible people at risk of homelessness to secure accommodation, 56 days before they are threatened with homelessness, and to provide those who find themselves homeless with support for a further period of 56 days to help to secure accommodation. The bill will also ensure that other local services refer those either homeless or at risk of being homeless to local authority housing teams.

Welcoming the government’s support for his bill Bob Blackman MP said: “I welcome the government’s decision to support my bill to reduce homelessness. Throughout my 24 years in local government prior to becoming an MP, I saw the devastation that can be caused by homelessness first hand, with too many people simply slipping through the net under the current arrangements.

“By backing this bill, the government is demonstrating its commitment to an agenda of social justice and also shows that it is willing to listen. I look forward to working with Ministers going forward in order to bring about this important change in legislation.”