Prisoners' Release: Housing

(asked on 13th October 2020) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the definition is of settled accommodation for the purposes of recording the accommodation circumstance of prisoners released from custody.


Answered by
Lucy Frazer Portrait
Lucy Frazer
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
This question was answered on 21st October 2020

“Settled accommodation” is defined as:


(i) any accommodation that provides a permanent independent housing solution including as owner occupier; tenant in a tenancy available for a minimum 3 month period; living as part of a family where the Applicable Person is able to reside in that home permanently and is able to return to that home; living with a friend with a bedroom available for the Applicable Person’s use and access to domestic facilities; a caravan or boat that is viewed by the Applicable Person as his permanent home;
(ii) supported housing provided by an accredited housing agency that is provided for a minimum 3 month period and includes support for the Applicable Person in relation to moving to a permanent independent housing solution Statistics for the definition of settled accommodation can be found at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904935/accommodation-201920.ods

While some data for the period after 31 March 2020 has been released ahead of publication (in recognition of the public interest in making information available in relation to the operation of the additional accommodation support scheme, which ended on 31 August), it is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to provide the detailed breakdown requested for the period specified, ahead of the planned publication schedule. The statistics with associated breakdowns requested are officially scheduled for release in July 2021.

We recognise that accommodation is a key priority, as it is often the first step in an individual’s resettlement journey. We continue to work with councils and charities to secure suitable accommodation, while investigating long-term solutions to prevent homelessness and help offenders turn their backs on crime.

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