Impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on homelessness and the private rented sector

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 16 Apr 2020 Closed: 9 Jun 2021 Parliament page
The HCLG Committee has launched an inquiry into the Impact of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) on homelessness and the private rented sector. It will consider both the immediate and long-term impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the homeless, rough sleepers and those in the private rented sector. The Committee expects … Read more
18 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
2 Reports
6 Oral sessions
10 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 21 events
25 May
2021
Report published
31 Mar
2021
Report published
23 Mar
2021
Correspondence
23 Feb
2021
Correspondence
8 Feb
2021
Correspondence
5 Feb
2021
Correspondence
28 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
26 Jan
2021
Correspondence
19 Jan
2021
Correspondence
18 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
17 Dec
2020
Oral evidence
14 Dec
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
28 Jan 2021
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Oral evidence
Eddie Hughes · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Penny Hobman · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
18 Jan 2021
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Oral evidence
Baroness Casey of Blackstock · Rough Sleeping Taskforce
17 Dec 2020
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Oral evidence
Abeo · NACCOM Fiona Colley · Homeless Link Henry St Clair Miller · NRPF Network Sam · NACCOM Steve Douglas · St Mungo's T · St Mungo's Tracy · St Mungo's
14 Dec 2020
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Oral evidence
Ben Beadle · National Residential Landlords' Association Ben Beadle · National Residential Landlords Association Cllr Rachel Blake · Local Government Association Dr Cecil Sagoe · Shelter Giles Peaker · Anthony Gold Solicitors Joe Lane · Citizens Advice Liz Davies · Housing Law Practitioners Association Simon Mullings · Housing Law Practitioners Association
29 Jun 2020
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Oral evidence
Caitlin Wilkinson · Generation Rent Chris Norris · National Residential Landlords Association Ruth Ehrlich · Liberty
11 May 2020
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Formal evidence; Oral evidence
Jamie Carswell · London Councils John Hall · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Jon Sparkes · Crisis Luke Hall · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Recommendations & Conclusions
26 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We recognise the enormous success of the early stages of the Everyone In programme, made...
We recognise the enormous success of the early stages of the Everyone In programme, made possible through cross-sector collaboration, substantial funding, and joint working towards a clear goal.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion by explicitly recognising the enormous success of the early stages of the Everyone In programme, made possible through cross-sector collaboration, substantial funding, and joint working towards a clear goal.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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2 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We recommend the Government immediately issues clear guidance to local authorities stating that they can...
We recommend the Government immediately issues clear guidance to local authorities stating that they can and should use their legal powers under the Local Government Act 1972 and NHS Act 2006 to find accommodation for those otherwise ineligible for support … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects issuing specific guidance, stating it previously clarified that rules regarding No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) have not changed. Local authorities must continue to use their own judgement within legal powers, and it remains a matter for them to decide based on local circumstances.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We recommend that the Government creates a cross-Government task force to resolve the conflict between...
We recommend that the Government creates a cross-Government task force to resolve the conflict between the commitment to end rough sleeping and the current policy on the no recourse to public funds condition. This will require collecting data on the … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to working with partners across government, including the Home Office, to consider the role of immigration policy and practice in ending rough sleeping, building on existing initiatives, effectively forming a collaborative effort similar to the requested task force.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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4 Recommendation Not Addressed
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We call on the Government to publish an exit plan for the private rented sector...
We call on the Government to publish an exit plan for the private rented sector from national and local restrictions. Now the Government has published its roadmap for how to exit national restrictions, hopefully for the final time, it should … Read more
Government Response
The government details its existing measures to protect renters and manage the exit from restrictions, including tapering measures and longer notice periods, but does not commit to publishing a specific exit plan for the private rented sector as requested.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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5 Conclusion Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
The Government will eventually have to come up with a policy response, because it cannot...
The Government will eventually have to come up with a policy response, because it cannot keep extending the evictions ban forever more.
Government Response
The government outlines its existing policy response, detailing various measures taken to prevent evictions, restrictions, and the tapering down of protections, implying this addresses the eventual need for policy as the evictions ban cannot be extended indefinitely.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We call on the Government to deliver a specific financial package—we prefer discretionary housing payments—to...
We call on the Government to deliver a specific financial package—we prefer discretionary housing payments—to support tenants to repay rent arrears caused by covid-19, in consultation with the Local Government Association and appropriate bodies representing renters and landlords. We received … Read more
Government Response
The government declined to deliver a new specific financial package for rent arrears, stating that its existing 'unprecedented package of financial support' (including increased LHA and Universal Credit) has already been effective in helping tenants.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We recognise the enormous success of the early stages of the Everyone In programme, made...
We recognise the enormous success of the early stages of the Everyone In programme, made possible through cross-sector collaboration, substantial funding and joint working towards a clear goal.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion by explicitly recognising the enormous success of the early stages of the Everyone In programme, attributed to cross-sector collaboration, substantial funding, and joint working towards a clear goal.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We do not accept the Government’s reasoning for why it cannot produce figures on the...
We do not accept the Government’s reasoning for why it cannot produce figures on the number of people subject to the no recourse to public funds condition. The cost and administrative burden of doing so are not sufficient arguments, given … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to collect and publish data on the number of people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and those estimated to be homeless, stating it is not possible to provide an accurate figure due to various complexities in data collection.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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9 Conclusion Not Addressed
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
There are substantial differences between a well-established severe weather emergency protocol, which provides short-term accommodation,...
There are substantial differences between a well-established severe weather emergency protocol, which provides short-term accommodation, often in night shelters or other communal spaces, and providing long-term accommodation in self-contained en-suite units with significant wraparound support. While there can be some … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its ambition to end rough sleeping and details various support measures and funding allocations, including the Cold Weather Fund. However, it does not directly address the committee's specific criticism regarding the inability to use Everyone In funding for individuals with no recourse to public funds after May 2020.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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10 Conclusion Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
Everyone In by definition has finished.
Everyone In by definition has finished. The Government believes Everyone In continues to exist, but by its own admission it is no longer helping everyone. The principle of Everyone In was that everyone, no matter what their normal eligibility for … Read more
Government Response
The government responds by reiterating that rules for No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) have not changed, and local authorities must use their judgment within the law. It confirms that substantial homelessness funding can be used to support anyone, including those with NRPF, as long as local authorities act within the law.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We call on the Government to return to the spirit of the early pandemic and...
We call on the Government to return to the spirit of the early pandemic and re- commit to Everyone In. This requires providing legal clarity for local authorities. We recommend the Government immediately issues clear guidance to local authorities stating … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the call to re-commit to 'Everyone In' and issue new clear guidance to local authorities, stating its position remains unchanged and local authorities must continue to use their own judgment regarding support for those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). It reiterated that existing homelessness funding can be used within the law.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation Deferred
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
No recourse to public funds has been an obstacle to reducing rough sleeping for a...
No recourse to public funds has been an obstacle to reducing rough sleeping for a long time: the pandemic has just shone a spotlight on its impact. If the Government is serious about meeting its manifesto commitment to end rough … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will work with the Home Office to consider the role of immigration policy and practice as part of efforts to end rough sleeping, but does not commit to reforming the "no recourse to public funds" policy as recommended, instead deferring it to future consideration.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13 Recommendation Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We recommend that the Government creates a cross-Government task force to resolve the conflict between...
We recommend that the Government creates a cross-Government task force to resolve the conflict between the commitment to end rough sleeping and the current policy on the no recourse to public funds condition. This will require collecting data on the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for cross-government collaboration and states the Department will be working with partners, including the Home Office, to address rough sleeping and immigration policy. This will build on existing efforts like the Rough Sleeping Support Service, but they do not commit to creating a new task force with specific deadlines.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Recommendation Deferred
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
No formal review of the Government’s manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping has yet happened,...
No formal review of the Government’s manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping has yet happened, due to the pandemic. We recommend the Government appoints a successor to Baroness Casey within the coming months to lead the review. This important work … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it has not been the right time to return to the planned independent review to end rough sleeping due to the pandemic. It does not commit to appointing a successor to Baroness Casey within months, but reaffirms its commitment to ending rough sleeping and indicates future work will build on progress and be underpinned by robust data.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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15 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We ask the Government to update us on whether it has achieved its target of...
We ask the Government to update us on whether it has achieved its target of delivering 3,300 housing units by March 2021 through its Next Steps Accommodation Programme.
Government Response
The government provides an update, confirming allocations for 3,348 homes through the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, but reports that some projects faced delays beyond March 2021. They commit to updating the committee in due course once all units from the October 2020 allocations are complete, and also mention a new round of funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
There has been a lack of recent focus from the Government on wider homelessness, including...
There has been a lack of recent focus from the Government on wider homelessness, including those suffering in cramped, poor quality temporary accommodation for long periods of time during the pandemic. The Government must ensure its increased homelessness funding does … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms an increased Homelessness Prevention Grant of £310 million for 2021-22, which local authorities can use to prevent various forms of homelessness, including supporting those in temporary accommodation and preventing evictions, thereby addressing wider homelessness.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
The Government will fail in its homelessness objectives if it continues to oversee the delivery...
The Government will fail in its homelessness objectives if it continues to oversee the delivery of just a few thousand social rent homes a year. The ongoing shortage of social housing is a clear, long-term obstacle to finding suitable accommodation … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to investing £12 billion in affordable housing over five years, projecting approximately 32,000 social rent homes through a new Affordable Homes Programme, which doubles previous delivery but falls significantly short of the recommended 90,000 social rent homes per year.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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18 Conclusion Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
The Government is in danger of breaking its pledge that no one should lose their...
The Government is in danger of breaking its pledge that no one should lose their home as a result of the pandemic. We have seen no satisfactory evidence for why the Government changed the definition of substantial rent arrears to … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its existing protective measures for renters and justifies its policy on evictions for substantial rent arrears, arguing it prevents market disruption and further tenant debt, implying its current framework addresses the committee's concerns without addressing the specific change in definition.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We call on the Government to publish a proper exit plan for the private rented...
We call on the Government to publish a proper exit plan for the private rented sector from national and local restrictions. The Government has tinkered regularly with the eviction framework, usually at the very last minute. Now the Government has … Read more
Government Response
The government detailed its existing exit plan for the private rented sector, stating that it will begin tapering down eviction protections from 1 June 2021, with most measures ending by 30 September 2021, while continuing longer notice periods for tenants.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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20 Conclusion Not Addressed
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We are concerned by the lack of robust data available to the Government on the...
We are concerned by the lack of robust data available to the Government on the value of rent arrears and how it equates to months of arrears, and by the impact this lack of data may have on policy-making.
Government Response
The government's response mirrored the committee's conclusion, expressing concern about the lack of robust data on rent arrears without committing to any specific action to address this issue.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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21 Conclusion Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
The Government appears to lack a clear strategy to deal with rising rent arrears.
The Government appears to lack a clear strategy to deal with rising rent arrears. We are very concerned that the Government is waiting until there is a clear crisis emerging before intervening, rather than heading off a growing rent arrears … Read more
Government Response
The government asserts it has an "unprecedented package of financial support," including increased Local Housing Allowance, Universal Credit, and an extended furlough scheme, which it believes is effective in protecting tenants from rent arrears and preventing evictions, committing only to continued monitoring.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We call on the Government to deliver a specific financial package to support tenants to...
We call on the Government to deliver a specific financial package to support tenants to repay rent arrears caused by covid-19, having considered the examples in Scotland and Wales as well as many other international examples. This should be one … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights its existing "unprecedented package of financial support," including increased LHA, Universal Credit, and the furlough scheme, arguing these measures are effective in preventing hardship and supporting tenants with rent, thus declining to introduce a new, specific financial package.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23 Recommendation Rejected
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the...
The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the 30th percentile in cash terms only, and instead keep rates indexed at the 30th percentile long-term. This will help households across England to afford their … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to review its decision on freezing Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates by maintaining them at the 30th percentile in cash terms, instead reaffirming its commitment to keeping rates at current cash levels for 2021-22.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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24 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We also call on the Government to temporarily boost funding to discretionary housing payments to...
We also call on the Government to temporarily boost funding to discretionary housing payments to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of households who are receiving no extra income from welfare increases due to the benefit cap. This … Read more
Government Response
The government declined to temporarily boost funding for discretionary housing payments, instead reiterating its existing 'unprecedented package of financial support' (including increased LHA and Universal Credit) which it states has been effective in preventing homelessness.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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25 Recommendation Deferred
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
The Government must introduce the Renters’ Reform Bill urgently.
The Government must introduce the Renters’ Reform Bill urgently. The Government does not want to introduce the Renters’ Reform Bill until the pandemic has finished, but this is at odds with the approach the Government has taken with NHS reforms. … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms its commitment to the Renters' Reform Bill and its reforms, including abolishing Section 21 evictions, but states it needs time to consider the pandemic's impact and will work with stakeholders in the coming months, indicating a deferral rather than urgent introduction.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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26 Recommendation Acknowledged
Sixth Report - Protecting the home…
We reiterate our offer to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the Renters’ Reform Bill, should the...
We reiterate our offer to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the Renters’ Reform Bill, should the Government choose to publish the Bill in draft. (Paragraph 99) 40 Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19
Government Response
The government reaffirms its commitment to the Renters' Reform Bill, including abolishing Section 21 evictions, and states it will work with sector voices and welcomes the Committee's views in due course, but does not explicitly accept the offer of pre-legislative scrutiny or commit to publishing a draft bill.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 18 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 4
Total 18 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 10 letters
23 Mar 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing to the Chair dated 17 March 2021 following up his appearance before the Committee on 28 January
Parliament page
23 Feb 2021 To committee Letter from the National Residential Landlords Association to the Chair dated 9 February 2021 concerning the impact of Covid-19 on homelessness and the private rented sector
Parliament page
8 Feb 2021 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to the Chair dated 29 January 2021 concerning priority vaccinations for homelessness staff
Parliament page
5 Feb 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rough Sleeping and Housing dated 4 February 2021 following up his appearance before the Committee on 28 January
Parliament page
26 Jan 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretaries of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Health and Social Care dated 25 January 2021 concerning priority vaccinations for homelessness staff
Parliament page
19 Jan 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Chair dated 8 January 2021 concerning protections for renters during lockdown
Parliament page
8 Jul 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister for Housing dated 8 July 2020 concerning the impact of COVID-19 on homelessness and the private rented sector
Parliament page
9 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing to the Chair dated 3 June concerning numbers of rough sleepers accommodated during the COVID-19 pandemic
Parliament page
5 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing to the Chair dated 26 May 2020 concerning his appearance before the Committee on 11 May
Parliament page
2 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing dated 2 June 2020 concerning estimated numbers of rough sleepers in emergency accomodation
Parliament page