Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussion his Department is having with banks on (a) financial inclusion and (b) facilities open and access a bank for homeless people as part of the Housing First pilots.

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?urban?areas?with contrasting challenges?(the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and?Liverpool?City Region).?This funding includes £2.7 million for an evaluation of the pilots which aim to support our most vulnerable people off the streets and into safe and secure homes.

As part of the delivery, the pilots are looking at all aspects of financial inclusion including maximising the benefits people are entitled to and ensuring that people have access to financial services such as banks. The pilots adhere to the 7 Housing First Principles of which one key principle is having choice and control. Therefore, if an individual requires access to financial services, we would expect providers to offer this level of support.