§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the provision of accommodation for homeless young single people who do not have family support. [110139]
§ Mr. MullinLocal authorities currently have a duty under the Housing Act 1996 to accommodate unintentionally homeless people in priority need, which includes those who are vulnerable.
The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' revised Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness, due to be published later in the year, will recommend that authorities treat 16 and 17-year-olds who have no back-up support as vulnerable, because of their age and circumstances, and therefore in priority need.
The revised Code of Guidance will recommend that authorities develop strategies for co-ordinated working between agencies, including the value of exploring joint assessments at an early stage for those with multiple needs. The Guidance will also explicitly refer to the need for this approach when assessing homelessness applications from vulnerable people and when dealing with the needs of young people between the ages of 16–18. The forthcoming Housing Green Paper is likely to include proposals for reform of the homelessness legislation to provide further protection for unintentionally homeless people in priority need.