Clause 68 - Designations under section 67: further considerations
Housing Bill
2:30 pm
Mr Edward Davey (Shadow Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Local Government & the Regions; Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
The Under-Secretary's response was helpful. If I understand her correctly, she is saying that local authorities ought to have regard to their existing homelessness strategy—their obligations for prevention, advice and assistance—as they set about introducing a selective licensing regime. It is good to have that on record. Although there is an indication in the first two sentences of subsection (3) that that is the case, it is important that local authorities realise that they must have a joined-up approach to housing. They need to have a partnership approach with landlords and other agencies in their area, particularly the voluntary sector, because we must ensure that the
Bill does not create the unintended consequence of an increase in homelessness.
On the basis that I have understood the Under-Secretary correctly—and she indicates that I have—I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.