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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to prevent rough sleeping (a) through the use of social housing and (b) by reforming the private rental sector.

In September 2022, we published our new cross-government strategy 'Ending Rough Sleeping for Good', setting out how we are investing £2 billion over three years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, and our prevention first approach.

The Government has committed to continue working towards its ambition of delivering 300,000 homes per year to help create a more sustainable and affordable housing market. Our £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme will deliver thousands of affordable homes for both rent and to buy right across the country. And the Local Authority Housing Fund will help ensure a new supply of social housing for communities across the country, especially those who have been most generous in welcoming arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The Renters (Reform) Bill was introduced into Parliament on 17 May. The Bill will deliver a fairer, more secure, and higher quality private rented sector that is fit for the 21st century. The date for Second Reading of the Bill is subject to parliamentary scheduling and will be announced in due course.