Sixth Report - Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.