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<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This Government is committed to preventing and tackling
homelessness. According to the latest publication of the Quarterly Statutory Homelessness
Statistics, (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2014"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2014</a>),
homelessness remains lower than in 27 of the last 30 years.</p><p> </p><p>But we are
not complacent. We have increased spending on schemes to prevent homelessness, making
over £500million available to help the most vulnerable in society.</p><p>No assessment
has been made of the impact of the Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment
Regulations 2014 on homelessness and rough sleeping or on victims of domestic violence
and their ability to secure a place in a refuge.</p><p /> <p /> <p>EEA jobseekers
have not previously been eligible for homelessness assistance and this will remain
the situation.</p><p>New EEA jobseekers will still be able to get some state support,
but it is right that this is limited. In such cases, adults responsible for children
can claim income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for a period and in certain circumstances
may be able to apply for support from the Local Authority. In particular Local Authority
support is subject to statutory criteria e.g. under section 17 of the Children Act
1989 (for a child in need and their family) or section 21 of the National Assistance
Act 1948 (provision of accommodation in certain circumstances).</p><p> </p><p>The
Department is actively monitoring the impact of the recent changes to Housing Benefit
regulations relating to EEA migrants, using Management Information and administrative
data and through research with Local Authorities.</p>
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