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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to (a) provide access to (i) mental health support, (ii) social services and (iii) recreational activities for and (b) otherwise address the needs and vulnerabilities of homeless children.

Temporary accommodation has to be suitable taking into account of relevant needs, requirements and circumstances of the homeless person and their household, including any children. The provision of support to households placed in temporary accommodation is essential to ensure that they can continue to enjoy a reasonable quality of life and access the range of services they need. In formulating their homelessness strategies, housing authorities should consider what arrangements need to be in place to ensure that households placed in temporary accommodation, within their district or outside, are able to access relevant support services.

Government is committed to reducing the need for temporary accommodation by preventing homelessness before it occurs. That is why we are investing more than £1 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant over three years, giving councils the funding they need to prevent homelessness as well as helping households move out of temporary accommodation into settled homes. As set out previously, Government has also been clear that the long-term use of B&B accommodation for families is inappropriate and unlawful and we are determined to stop this practice.