Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of living costs on homelessness rates; and what steps she is taking to mitigate that potential impact.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those at risk of, or affected by, homelessness.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a scheme providing discretionary support to those most in need towards the cost of essentials, such as food, energy and water. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available to those in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit who need additional help with rent or housing costs. Both schemes are delivered via local authorities.

The Government is investing £1 billion in extending the HSF by a further year, from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026 and extending DHPs into 2025/26. Additional funding for the Devolved Governments will be provided through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual. As announced at Autumn Budget we are also introducing a Fair Payment Rate for Universal Credit customers with deductions to retain more of their benefit award.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.