Government Frees Councils to Tackle Homelessness

New laws which came into effect on 9 November will give councils the freedom to help those facing homelessness by finding them suitable homes in the private rented sector.Previous rules meant that many homeless households spent long periods in expensive temporary accommodation, turning down offers private rented accommodation while waiting for social housing. Mark Prisk said that the new changes would make waiting lists fairer, helping councils fulfil their legal duty to those in need of homelessness help without the extra expense of long-term temporary accommodation.  But he said the new protections would also ensure that every rented home offered by councils would be good quality suitable accommodation, offered for sufficient time to allow households the space to resolve a homelessness crisis.  Read more on the CLG website.