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
4 results
Clear
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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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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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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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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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