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

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many homeless people in England who were previously sleeping on the streets have been housed in (1) hotels, (2) hostels, or (3) other accommodation during the COVID-19 lockdown; how many of these people are still in such housing; and what will happen to them as the lockdown eases and the hospitablity industry returns to normal.

Almost 15,000 vulnerable people, including those who were street homeless, have been housed in emergency accommodation, including hotels, since the start of the COVID-19, according to returns from local authorities.

We are continuing to work with local authorities?to understand the work they are doing to help the most vulnerable in our society. We announced on 24 May plans to provide thousands of long-term, safe homes for vulnerable rough sleepers taken off the streets during this pandemic. This ambitious commitment will be backed by £160 million this year through accelerating plans for the £381 million announced for rough sleeping services at Budget, bringing the total to £433 million over the lifetime of this Parliament. The Government is increasing the revenue support of the total programme by 37% to make sure that the rough sleepers have the support they need to stay off the streets for good.

This funding with 3,300 units of this accommodation becoming available in the next 12 months. Homes England, in partnership with my Department, have pledged to work hand-in-hand with leading Housing Associations and local authorities to deliver this.