Freud to Review Plans and 'Protect Providers'

The Department for Work and Pensions recently announced a review of plans that could have forced many homeless hostels to close.  Although welcoming this news, Homeless Link has been extremely concerned that the Government’s definition of which services would be exempt does not cover the majority of homelessness hostels.  Lord Freud – Minister for Welfare Reform – has written to us with a clear statement of intent to “protect providers from any unintended consequences”. He wrote that DWP wishes to: “protect refuges and hostels where care is provided by or arranged through a ‘managing agent’ rather than the landlord … I am determined that our reforms will maintain a viable supported housing sector.”  Read more on the Homeless Link website.