I share your belief that one person without a roof over their head is one too many. I read Shelter’s recent manifesto with interest, and I recognise the cross-government approach required to tackle homelessness.

Let me assure you that there is a firm commitment across government to delivering more social and genuinely affordable homes, underpinned by the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme (2021-26) which will deliver tens of thousands of new homes. In addition, the Government’s ‘Ending Rough Sleeping for Good’ strategy makes clear that increasing the affordability and security of housing is an important part of its work to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping. The Government’s commitment to doing so includes delivering a fairer private rented sector and supporting more stable tenancies. For example, the Renters (Reform) Bill will abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, which I know can cause uncertainty and worry for households.

At the Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that the Government is increasing the Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of market rents from April 2024. This will mean that 1.6 million low-income households will be around £800 a year better off on average in 2024-25. The Autumn Statement also announced an additional £120 million in funding for local authorities to invest in homelessness prevention.

Indeed, the Government is committed to reducing the need for temporary accommodation by preventing homelessness before it occurs. I understand that, since 2018, over 640,000 households have been prevented from becoming homeless or supported into settled accommodation through the Homelessness Reduction Act.

I agree with you about the importance of raising standards in rented homes, which is why I welcome the Government’s plans to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector and strengthen local councils’ enforcement powers to help target criminal landlords. When it comes to housing rights, I understand that the Government is making changes to the legal aid means test that will significantly expand legal aid eligibility. The Government is investing up to £10 million each year through the creation of a Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. As of 1 August 2023, this is enabling people facing the loss of their home to receive early legal advice on housing, debt and welfare benefits issues as well as representation in court.

I hope that this response has highlighted a strong commitment across government to tackling homelessness. I will continue to carefully scrutinise the Government’s work in this area.