CIH responds to national plan to end homelessness

CIH welcomes the government’s new national plan to end homelessness, as well as the investment committed to building more affordable homes. Homelessness is not inevitable, and we share the ambition to make it rare, brief, and non-recurring. However, the scale of the crisis means far bolder action is needed to turn the tide and ensure everyone has a safe, secure place to call home. 

We particularly welcome the strong focus on prevention, shaped by lived experience and frontline insight. A new duty for public services to collaborate could drive a real step-change in how agencies work together, especially for people leaving prison, hospital, or the care system. But its success will depend on sustained investment in local authority capacity, the workforce, and strong local leadership.

Proposals to end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families, improve temporary accommodation, and strengthen supported housing are vital for ensuring children and vulnerable adults can access safe, secure homes. The plan rightly builds on the Child Poverty Strategy by recognising the impact of homelessness on children’s health, wellbeing, and life chances.

We welcome the recognition of supported housing as a vital part of tackling homelessness, and the new funding aimed at helping people with the most complex needs. But many not-for-profit providers have seen support budgets eroded at the same time as demand and operating costs have risen. As a result, the country now faces a serious shortage of the supported homes people rely on - a stable, properly funded supported housing sector is essential if we are to make real progress.

While investment in new affordable homes is essential, these homes will take time to deliver – and we must address the pressures facing families in the here and now. With too few social homes available, families can only move on from temporary accommodation if they can afford private rent. The continued freeze on local housing allowance is trapping families in temporary accommodation - often miles from schools, family, and support networks. Unfreezing housing benefit is therefore essential to help families rebuild their lives and reduce pressure on overstretched councils, as we've been calling for.

The plan also falls short in supporting refugees, many of whom are at increasing risk of homelessness and destitution. A comprehensive strategy must ensure that people granted protection in the UK are not left without housing or support. 

Lasting progress requires tackling root causes: the shortage of social housing, affordability challenges, and wider economic pressures. We welcome the government’s intention to bring forward a long-term housing strategy, which must sit alongside this plan and be backed by sufficient investment in local authorities to deliver statutory services and lead local partnerships.

CIH stands ready to work with government, local authorities, housing providers and partners to help turn today’s commitments into real change and ensure everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.