The Government, on 17 December 2013, approved drafting of a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that will provide for the Housing Assistance Payments scheme; a new procedure for the repossession of local authority dwellings; a new tenant purchase scheme for existing local authority houses on the incremental purchase model and related matters. Drafting of the Bill is proceeding as a priority in my Department with a view to publication and enactment as soon as possible. This Bill does not include provision to extend tenancy rights to those who reside in hostels due to homelessness.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities. It is a matter for individual authorities to determine the level and category of accommodation to be included in their funding programmes. Emergency accommodation options may include hostel, bed and breakfast type accommodation and temporary supported arrangements.
In February 2013, I published the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement which emphasises a housing-led approach to homelessness. This is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness and it should reduce the amount of time spent in homeless services, in particular emergency accommodation.
