Welfare Reform on the Web (July 2003): Homelessness - UK

DOES IT ADD UP?

S. Povey

Roof, May/June 2003, p.29

Discusses the impact of the abolition of being in priority need as a criterion for acceptance for re-housing by local authorities in England under the homelessness legislation. Without this filter, councils would have to re-house an additional 60,000 applicants a year.

IMPROVING STANDARDS OF ACCOMMODATION FOR HOMLESS HOUSEHOLDS PLACED IN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION: A CONSULTATION PAPER

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Homelessness Directorate

London: 2003

Sets out proposals aimed at ending the practice of housing homeless families with children in bed and breakfast hotels for long periods of time. There will also be statutory guidance on minimum standards which temporary accommodation used to house homeless people will have to meet. This will focus on key areas such as size and occupancy levels of rooms, location of cooking and bathing facilities, and management standards. There will also be clear guidance on provision of support to homeless households placed in temporary accommodation to ensure their health, education and social services needs are met.