Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

Lord Dubs Excerpts

Wednesday 24th July 2013 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Dubs]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the causes of homelessness and rough sleeping in the United Kingdom.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham)]

My Lords, the reasons for homelessness and rough sleeping are complex. This is an important issue which we are taking action to address, including by investing £470 million to support prevention and recovery services. This includes £34 million for the mayor’s office for rough sleeping in London; changing the law so that homeless families can be placed quickly in suitable private sector accommodation; and joining-up actions across government through the ministerial working group on homelessness to tackle the causes of homelessness.

[Lord Dubs]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the Answer. Will she confirm that a disturbingly large proportion of the homeless and rough sleepers are ex-prisoners and that if they do not get homes they are more likely to be reconvicted and sent back to prison? Will she comment on the difficulties facing a prisoner who is discharged with a £46 discharge grant having to wait a week under the Government’s policy before they can claim benefits?

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, I do not have the exact percentage but I acknowledge that there must be, and will be, some ex-prisoners among the homeless and rough sleepers who may go back to prison. When they leave prison, their benefits are calculated in the normal way.