| answer text |
<p>This Government is committed to tackling homelessness, especially amongst vulnerable
young people.</p><p>We have implemented the Homelessness Reduction Act, the most ambitious
reform of homelessness legislation in decades. It has greatly expanded the duties
on local housing authorities, meaning many young people, who may not previously have
been eligible for support, are now being helped. The new duties should help prevent
homelessness before it occurs. The Act also places a duty on public bodies, including
Children’s Services, ensuring better partnership working between public bodies and
local authorities.</p><p>As part of the Rough Sleeping Strategy, the government committed
£3.2 million per annum to increase the support provided to care leavers at risk of
homelessness or rough sleeping. The funding has been allocated to the 47 local authorities
with the highest number of care leavers with complex needs.</p><p>We fund St Basil’s
to deliver positive pathway events with local authority housing teams to share best
practice on supporting young homeless people and ensure they are putting prevention
and early help at the heart of their service.</p><p>We have put in place bespoke support
for local authorities through our Homelessness Advice and Support Team, which includes
dedicated youth homelessness advisers.</p><p>Finally, we have updated guidance on
the ‘Prevention of homelessness and provision of accommodation for 16 and 17-year-old
young people who may be homeless and/or require accommodation’ setting out the respective
duties of children’s services and housing services.</p>
|
|
