Kelly Tolhurst: The response was sent on 18 December.
Kelly Tolhurst: The response was sent on 7 January.
Kelly Tolhurst: We recognise that many LGBT people who find themselves homeless may have a different experience of homelessness. In the Rough Sleeping Strategy, we announced a range of measures, including undertaking research that is underway with the Government Equalities Office into the nature of LGBT homelessness. The Department has provided local authorities with free training to help tackle issues...
Kelly Tolhurst: Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in all its forms is a key priority for this Government and we have taken huge steps this year, working with local authorities and their partners to protect vulnerable rough sleepers during the pandemic. The ‘Everyone In’ campaign has supported over 29,000 vulnerable people, with over 10,000 in emergency accommodation and nearly 19,000 provided with...
Kelly Tolhurst: This data is not held centrally. Supported housing is a matter devolved to local authorities.
Kelly Tolhurst: Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in all its forms is a key priority for this Government and we have taken huge steps this year, working with local authorities and their partners to protect vulnerable rough sleepers during the pandemic. We do not have an age breakdown of the people accommodated during the ongoing emergency response but the ‘Everyone In’ campaign has supported over...
Kelly Tolhurst: On 14 December, we confirmed that an initial £10 million funding had been allocated for 19 areas, plus the Greater London Authority, under the Government’s £15 million ‘Protect Programme’. This is to provide accommodation for rough sleepers during the pandemic in areas that required extra support throughout winter. A full list of allocations can be found here:...
Kelly Tolhurst: Housing First?has?an?impressive international record in helping people with complex needs to recover and stay off the streets for good, which is why we awarded £28?million?to?pilot it in three areas (the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and?Liverpool?City?Region). We recognise that rough sleeping is a nationwide challenge, and that is why it is important that we consider the findings of our...
Kelly Tolhurst: Every death of someone sleeping rough on our streets is a tragedy, and the Government is committed to ending rough sleeping. This is why we are spending over £700 million on homelessness and rough sleeping this year alone. We know that many individuals experiencing homelessness have substance misuse and mental health support needs. MHCLG is working closely with DHSC and PHE to ensure rough...
Kelly Tolhurst: Throughout the pandemic, we have worked closely with local authorities and the sector to offer vulnerable people safe accommodation and support. That work is ongoing and by September, we had successfully supported over?29,000 people, with 10,000 still in emergency accommodation and over 19,000 provided with settled accommodation or move on support.? These efforts have been backed by...
Kelly Tolhurst: As the Hon. Member for Christchurch is aware, the Government is unable to support his Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment) Bill as currently drafted. However, the Government remains committed to improving protections for park home residents and will continue to build on the substantial improvements already made to the sector by the Mobile Homes Act 2013. On 23 September, we delivered on our...
Kelly Tolhurst: Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are independent of the Government and local authorities and, subject to their constitution; the BID proposal upon which the original BID ballot was held and any alterations that have been passed subsequently; and the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004, BIDs are free to work with local authorities and others to deliver, challenge or...
Kelly Tolhurst: Whether or not accommodation is ‘exempt’ is a matter for local authority housing benefit departments. The Regulator of Social Housing regulates only those landlords that wish to register with it and who are able to meet its registration requirements (other than local authorities who own homes who are automatically registered). This includes being able to demonstrate that it is a provider...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government are committed to enhancing renters’ security by abolishing no-fault evictions. During the covid-19 pandemic, our collective efforts have been focused on protecting people during the outbreak. This has included introducing longer notice periods and preventing evictions at the height of the pandemic on public health grounds. We will introduce a renters’ reform Bill very soon.
Kelly Tolhurst: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. We are committed to abolishing no-fault evictions under section 21. Obviously, we have already taken some action. Last week, for example, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State increased the ban on evictions for a further six weeks. We have also introduced six months’ notice, which means that people who receive an order now will find that it...
Kelly Tolhurst: I regret that the hon. Lady does not recognise the unprecedented steps that this Government have taken in an unprecedented global pandemic to support renters and people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. Our data show that our measures to protect renters are working. We have had a 54% reduction in households owed a homelessness duty to the end of an assured tenancy from April to...
Kelly Tolhurst: The New Homes Ombudsman scheme will enhance consumer protection for new build homebuyers. Published on 20 July 2020, the draft Building Safety Bill includes provision for the New Homes Ombudsman scheme to resolve disputes between developers and consumers. The legislation has finished pre-legislative scrutiny and we are considering the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government is committed to tackling homelessness, which is why it is spending over £700 million this year alone. This includes the Flexible Homelessness Support Grant of £200m and the £63 million Homelessness Reduction Grant which enable local authorities to do more to prevent and relieve homelessness in their areas. Slough received a total of £820,101 from these specific funding...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government is taking forward a comprehensive programme of reform to end unfair practices in the leasehold market. This includes measures to ban the sale of new leasehold houses, restrict ground rents to zero for future leases, give freehold homeowners equivalent rights to challenge unfair charges, and close loopholes to prevent unfair evictions. We are also working with the Law...
Kelly Tolhurst: The Government believes very strongly that any fees and charges should be justifiable, transparent and communicated effectively, and that there should be a clear route to challenge or redress if things go wrong.?? The law is clear that service charges, administration and permission fees must be reasonable and, where costs relate to work or services, the work or services must be of a...