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
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
Oral evidence
Eddie Hughes · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Penny Hobman · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Oral evidence
Baroness Casey of Blackstock · Rough Sleeping Taskforce
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
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
Oral evidence
Caitlin Wilkinson · Generation Rent Chris Norris · National Residential Landlords Association Ruth Ehrlich · Liberty
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
3 results
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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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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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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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 18 classified

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