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Rough sleeping in England: Local and national government action

Information about local authorities' legal duties to help people experiencing rough sleeping in England and an overview of national government action to tackle rough sleeping since 1990.

Type

Commons Briefing papers

Date

28 January 2025

Reference

SN02007

Deposited Paper Dep 04/1786

Deposited by

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Type

Deposited papers

Date

10 November 2004

Reference

Dep 04/1786

House

House of Commons

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list (a) the number of staff in and (b) the cost of the (i) Rough Sleepers Unit and (ii) Homelessness Directorate in each year since each was established. - Table given.

Asked by

Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 December 2002

Reference

87434; 396 c873-4W;396 c871W

House

House of Commons

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what progress the Homelessness Directorate has made with regard to tackling homelessness. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

23 May 2002

For answer on

10 June 2002

Answered on

10 June 2002

Brian Cotter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress the Homelessness Directorate has made with regard to tackling homelessness. [60493] Mr. McNulty: I have been asked to reply. The Homelessness Directorate brings together the Rough Sleepers Unit, the Bed and Breakfast Unit and a new team to advise local authorities on tackling homelessness. The Directorate aims to: sustain the success of meeting the Prime Minister's target of reducing rough sleeping by two thirds by 2002; ensure that by March 2004 no homeless families with children are living in bed and breakfast hotels except in an emergency and, even then, for no more than six weeks; promote new and more strategic approaches to tackle more effectively the growing problem of homelessness. Since its establishment in March this year, the Homelessness Directorate has: published the report "More than a roof" which, together with the Secretary of State's response, sets out a new approach to tackling homelessness; reviewed local rough sleeping strategies in order to sustain the two thirds reduction in the number of rough sleepers in England; published a good practice handbook to help local authorities to conduct homelessness reviews and develop effective homelessness strategies; invited local authorities to apply for £10 million funding for homelessness strategies, to commence in July 2002; held a number of regional good practice conferences on reducing the use of B&B hotels; required high using B&B authorities to produce B&B reduction action plans, backed up by £35 million of new resources; participated in seven seminars organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing to promote awareness of the requirements of the Homelessness Act among housing and homelessness professionals; issued new advice to housing authorities on arrangements to ensure that all babies and children placed in temporary accommodation receive their health and developmental tests; improved the collection of information from local authorities to monitor the number of homeless families with children living in B&B hotels and to record the length of time they stay there. Additionally, the Government have: taken through the Homelessness Act 2002 which will strengthen the statutory safety net for homeless people and ensure that all housing authorities have a homelessness strategy for their districts; confirmed its intention to bring the main homelessness provisions of that Act into force in July, together with an extension by order of the groups who are in priority need for housing; confirmed that £10 million will be allocated to local authorities in 2002-03 to help them deliver the proposed new priority needs order; amended housing benefit rules to provide additional incentives for private leasing as an alternative to the use of B&B hotels for homeless people; announced that tackling homelessness is a new theme for the Beacon Councils scheme.

Date

10 June 2002

Reference

60493; 386 c1031-2W

House

House of Commons

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what proportion of the money allocated to the (a) BBU and (b) RSU by him for the current financial year is expected to be spent on administration costs. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative)

Answering body

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 June 2002

Reference

60666; 386 c1032W

House

House of Commons

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the administration costs for the (a) National Homelessness Directorate, (b) BBU and (c) RSU were in the last 12 months. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative)

Answering body

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 June 2002

Reference

60664; 386 c1032W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what funding will be available to the National Homelessness Directorate over the next three years; and how much money will go to (a) the BBU, (b) the RSU and (c) the Hostels Inspectorate. - Includes figures.

Asked by

Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 April 2002

Reference

50529; 383 c1095W;383 c1094W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what proportion of those who were sleeping rough in 1998 and are no longer doing so are now in paid employment. - Inc figures.

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

11 March 2002

For answer on

18 March 2002

Answered on

18 March 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of those who were sleeping rough in 1998 and are no longer doing so are now in paid employment. [43108] Ms Keeble: Personal details of rough sleepers in 1998 were in many cases not recorded, making it hard to track their progress away from the street and into housing, training and employment. As part of delivering its strategy the unit has now put in place client monitoring systems to track the progress of individuals in their move from sleeping rough to independent living. These systems are subject to review and further development. The Rough Sleepers Unit has worked with Government Departments, other statutory bodies and voluntary agencies to help people with a history of sleeping rough to access statutory benefits, education, training and employment. The unit has funded the Homeless Routeway to Employment, "Learning Zones", a website to help rough sleepers into employment and a "jobs-led hostel" which specifically helps former rough sleepers into work. The unit has also invested £2 million of its Special Innovation Fund in schemes to build self esteem and help former rough sleepers into employment, including Business in the Community which has helped businesses provide work placements, training and support to local homeless agencies and their clients. Tenancy Sustainment Teams in London and other cities around England also help former rough sleepers and homeless people that have moved from hostels into their own accommodation to resettle permanently and to take up training and employment. Meaningful occupation workers in each Tenancy Sustainment Team identify and maximise specific support and training to help former rough sleepers to prepare for and take up employment opportunities.

Date

18 March 2002

Reference

43108; 382 c28-9W;382 c27-8W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how those conducting the count, for the latest rough sleeping headcount conducted by the RSU, chose the areas of the various cities in which their counts would take place; and if he will publish the guidance issued...

Asked by

Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 March 2002

Reference

40053; 381 c186W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how it was determined whether someone on the streets during the latest rough sleeping head count conducted by the Rough Sleepers Unit was a rough sleeper; and if he will publish the guidelines issued to those conducting...

Asked by

Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 March 2002

Reference

40052; 381 c186W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what payments the Rough Sleepers Unit have made in the last year to house rough sleepers in temporary accommodation; and if he will publish a breakdown of expenditure. - Including figure.

Asked by

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 February 2002

Reference

36987; 380 c1165W;380 c1167W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what time of day on average rough sleeping head counts supervised by the Rough Sleepers Unit took place during the last year. - Including ref to Evaluating the Extent of Rough Sleeping.

Asked by

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 February 2002

Reference

36986; 380 c1165W;380 c1167W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what steps are taken during rough sleeping counts supervised by the Rough Sleeping Unit to ensure the personal safety of those conducting the count.

Asked by

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 February 2002

Reference

36985; 380 c1166W;380 c1168W

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper DEP 02/344

Deposited by

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Deposited papers

Date

20 February 2002

Reference

DEP 02/344

House

House of Lords; House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what systems are in place to monitor the number of former members of the armed services who become homeless within 18 months of leaving the armed forces. - Including figures.

Asked by

Desmond Swayne (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

7 February 2002

For answer on

14 February 2002

Answered on

14 February 2002

Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what systems are in place to monitor the number of former members of the armed services who become homeless within 18 months of leaving the armed forces. [35271] Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not itself monitor homelessness among those who have left the services but we are able to keep track of the number of rough sleepers with an ex-service background through work with the Rough Sleepers Unit (RSU). The Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) report published in 1998 identified that between one quarter and one fifth of rough sleepers had been in the armed forces at some stage, predominantly some years before as national service men. The MOD has since been working in partnership with the RSU and the charitable sector to reduce some of the most acute cases of homelessness, those sleeping rough on the streets. The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions have confirmed that interim analysis of rough sleeping data collected in November 2001 shows that the percentage of rough sleepers with an armed forces background has decreased markedly since the 1998 SEU report. This is clearly good news and provides strong evidence of the success that can be achieved by Government working in partnership with the voluntary sector. Improvements that have been delivered by this partnership include the establishment of the Single Person Accommodation Service for Ex Service (SPACES) project at Catterick Garrison in 1999 which has already provided a range of housing and other support services to over 550 vulnerable people leaving the services. This exceeds the first target of 400. We recognise there is further work to be done in this area and, as part of the Veterans' Initiative we are looking at improvements to resettlement arrangements for the most vulnerable service leavers. This will include addressing the risk of homelessness.

Date

14 February 2002

Reference

35271; 380 c567-8W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the assistance given to the homeless who are trying to get a permanent home; and what new measures have been introduced since 1997.

Asked by

Jimmy Wray (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 January 2002

For answer on

14 January 2002

Answered on

14 January 2002

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the assistance given to the homeless who are trying to get a permanent home; and what new measures have been introduced since 1997. [26632] Ms Keeble: Local authorities have a duty to provide appropriate advice and assistance to anyone who is homeless. In addition, there are provisions in the Homelessness Bill to ensure that each local authority formulates and publishes a homelessness strategy. This will help ensure that accommodation will be available for people who are, or may become homeless, as well as helping to prevent homelessness in the first place. Assistance is also provided for former rough sleepers in England through the work of the Rough Sleepers Unit. The RSU is ensuring that a further 1,000 permanent homes are available for former rough sleepers, bringing the total to more than 4,500. Most of these homes have already been provided with the remainder becoming available by late 2002. The RSU's strategy has also ensured that services have been developed to support individuals through the transition to permanent housing. The unit funds services which: 1. prepare people for living inside by tackling addiction and mental health issues; 2. help in securing accommodation through, for example, the use of rent deposit schemes and help finding furniture etc.; 3. support former rough sleepers within their new homes through Tenancy Sustainment Teams, including youth, substance misuse, mental health and employment workers; 4. equip individuals with the skills needed to live independently, help to access benefits and link them back into education, training and employment. I am also very concerned about the rising number of homeless households being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation. We have now established a Bed and Breakfast Unit which will shortly be announcing targets to reduce numbers placed in B&B over the next two years.

Date

14 January 2002

Reference

26632; 378 c11-2W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what progress has been made by the Social Exclusion Unit to reduce the number of rough sleepers. - Includes figures.

Asked by

Betty Williams (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

12 December 2001

For answer on

9 January 2002

Answered on

9 January 2002

Mrs. Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made by the Social Exclusion Unit to reduce the number of rough sleepers. [23455] Ms Keeble: The Rough Sleepers Unit was established in April 1999 following a recommendation of the Social Exclusion Unit in their 1998 report into rough sleeping. The unit was tasked by the Prime Minister to reduce the number of people sleeping rough in England to as near to zero as possible and by at least two thirds by 2002. The Rough Sleepers Unit published its strategy on tackling rough sleeping, "Coming in from the Cold", in December 1999. The strategy outlined a raft of new policies and services to deliver the target, which are now all in place across England. These services include helping people sleeping rough on the streets with drug, alcohol and mental health problems; helping former rough sleepers rebuild their lives through education, training and employment; and preventing a new generation of rough sleepers particularly those leaving care, the armed forces and prison. The Prime Minister announced on 3 December 2001 that his target had been met and figures show that there are now 532 people sleeping rough in England, compared with around 1,850 in June 1998. This represents a reduction of 71 per cent. The success has been due to the RSU's strategy and the hard work of key partners in central and local government and the voluntary and private sector. The RSU's second Progress Report, published in summer 2001, shows the significant impact the "Coming in from the Cold" strategy has made to individual lives. My noble Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning announced on 3 December that a new Homelessness Directorate would be established in January to bring together and invigorate exiting work to help homeless people and to develop new work to prevent homelessness and investigate its underlying causes. The Directorate will also continue to help vulnerable people sleeping on the nation's streets to come inside, help people to rebuild their lives and prevent tomorrow's rough sleepers from hitting the streets in the first place. The new Directorate will be responsible for taking forward the Government's strategic framework for homelessness in the new year.

Date

9 January 2002

Reference

377 c858W;377 c861-2W; 23455

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what communications (a) his Department and (b) affiliated organisations have had in the last four years with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Rough Sleepers Unit concerning rough sleeping headcounts in London. - (Holding answer...

Asked by

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 December 2001

Reference

377 c247W; 22051

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what plans the Rough Sleepers Unit has to improve support and services provided during the day for street homeless people. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Hugh Bayley (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 December 2001

Reference

377 c222-3W; 22982

House

House of Commons

Joining up to improve public services. Minutes of evidence 17 December 2001.(Printed in HC 471)

Type

House of Commons papers; Select Committee oral evidence; Parliamentary committees

Committee

Committee of Public Accounts

Date

17 December 2001

Reference

HC 471-i 2001/02

House

House of Commons

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