Shapps Called In As Council 'Breaks the Law' On B&B Stays For Homeless

Labour councillors want the housing minister to "take action" after it was revealed that Westminster City Council has housed 100 families with children in B&B accommodation for more than six weeks.  This, despite legislation stating that housing authorities may put families up in B&Bs - where no other accommodation is available - for no more than six weeks in result of a single homelessness application.  The housing minister Grant Shapps has expressed concerns over the increased use of B&B accommodation by local authorities and in April wrote to 20 local authorities – including Westminster - who between them account for almost 80% of families in B&Bs for more than six weeks, reiterating the Government's position that the practice is “unacceptable”.  He urged them to prioritise elimination of the use of long term bed and breakfast accommodation for families, and offered support from his department to do so. Read more on 24dash.