5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation
Select Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
HC 1831
22 April 2026
Government response
Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation: Government response to the Select Committee Report · published 24 Jun 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s decision to apply the new Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation.
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s decision to apply the new Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation. A national minimum standard covering all temporary accommodation will help to raise the quality of accommodation provided. However, while we recognise the need for an …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the application of the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation and plans to apply the reformed standard wherever possible, noting current standards already apply. It acknowledges the need for an implementation period but doesn't set specific interim targets, instead committing to publish guidance by end of 2026 and work with sector bodies.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17
Recommendation
Acknowledged
The ministry must update the statutory guidance to make clear that placing families in accommodation...
Recommendation
The ministry must update the statutory guidance to make clear that placing families in accommodation where the need to share facilities with single male adults is not suitable and should work with councils to bring such placements to an end. …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of safeguarding and minimizing risks, stating current guidance prohibits B&Bs for families. They commit to engaging with the sector to consider whether further guidance amendments are needed to clarify that placements for children must minimize safeguarding risks.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We welcome the government’s decision to apply the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation.
Conclusion
We welcome the government’s decision to apply the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation. However, we are concerned that the standard will not guarantee people housed in some types of temporary accommodation access to the basic facilities, such as a …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the concern, stating the Decent Homes Standard already applies to social landlord temporary accommodation. They committed to engaging with the sector to implement the standard across different temporary accommodation types and are reviewing compliance and considering amending the Suitability Order.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Competition between local authorities and other public bodies drives up the costs of temporary accommodation...
Conclusion
Competition between local authorities and other public bodies drives up the costs of temporary accommodation and restricts the ability of local authorities to raise standards locally. We are pleased that the ministry is working with the Home Office to test …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern about competition driving up temporary accommodation costs, stating it is working to explore a value-for-money model for asylum accommodation and using crown land to mitigate issues and reduce homelessness risk.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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29
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We are concerned about councils’ increasing reliance on privately managed, nightly-paid accommodation.
Conclusion
We are concerned about councils’ increasing reliance on privately managed, nightly-paid accommodation. This provision is not merely expensive. The use of nightly-paid accommodation limits councils’ ability to raise standards and offers little stability to households who are at risk of …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern regarding expensive, poor-quality nightly-paid accommodation and states it is considering incentives for local authorities to enter better value, longer-term arrangements as part of a review.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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31
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to...
Conclusion
We remained concerned the government’s decision to freeze the Local Housing Allowance is contributing to more people being more at risk of homelessness and in need of temporary accommodation. The freeze also makes it difficult for councils to help households …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) freeze, stating it will keep LHA rates under review and notes that rates were set to the 30th percentile from April 2024. It also points to the Crisis Resilience Fund Housing Payment for additional support.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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37
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We welcome the efforts that the ministry is taking to improve the physical condition of...
Conclusion
We welcome the efforts that the ministry is taking to improve the physical condition of temporary accommodation. However, if providers choose to sell properties that are too costly to upgrade or try to take advantage of regulatory gaps between tenures, …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the risk that interventions to raise temporary accommodation standards could adversely impact supply, outlining its National Plan to End Homelessness, including a £950 million fund and exploring partnerships to invest in quality accommodation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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