Social Housing Bill to strengthen homelessness prevention and protect social housing stock
The UK government will amend the Social Housing Bill to strengthen homelessness prevention, protect social housing stock, and improve collaboration between councils and housing providers.
The government confirmed it will introduce amendments to the Social Housing Bill to provide stronger protections for homeless households. The changes aim to enhance collaboration between councils and private registered providers of social housing, enabling referrals of homeless households to these providers. The measures seek to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and improve access to housing for those most in need.
A new disposals notification requirement will be introduced, requiring councils and social housing providers to be given eight weeks’ notice before social homes are sold outside the sector. This is intended to help retain social housing stock by allowing providers to purchase homes before they leave the sector.
A Duty to Collaborate will be established, requiring public services to work more closely to identify people at risk of homelessness and take preventative action within their existing responsibilities. The government states this will support councils in addressing homelessness pressures and strengthen partnership working across the housing sector.
The government previously committed £39 billion over ten years through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to support the delivery of new social and affordable housing. Councils and housing associations will continue to play a key role in increasing housing supply and providing homes for local communities.