Shapps: New Powers for Councils to Address Housing Waiting Lists

New safeguards to ensure vulnerable families are placed in suitable, privately-rented accommodation have been proposed by Grant Shapps.  It comes ahead of a new power giving councils more options to tackle record waiting lists and move people out of expensive temporary accommodation. A change in the law  means local authorities will soon be able to fulfil their legal duty to vulnerable residents who fall homeless by finding them suitable accommodation in the private rented sector.  Ministers acted because councils have been restricted by rules limiting how they could help those at risk of homelessness - with those deemed eligible for help able to turn down offers of private rented accommodation and wait for a social home. This has left councils with a bill for expensive temporary accommodation and other residents languishing on waiting lists. The proposed rules are contained in a new consultation that also sets out how homeless families should face the least possible disruption when being offered new accommodation.  Read more on the CLG website or see the Consultation page in this blog for details of the consultation on homelessness.