Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what comparative assessment he has made of the level of (a) demand for and (b) supply of secure accommodation for young people (a) in the UK, (b) by nation and (c) by region.
We agree that it is important that people, especially young people, have a settled and suitable home. To support this work, we have put in place bespoke support for local authorities through our Homelessness Advice and Support Team, which includes a dedicated youth homelessness advisor team that works with local authorities to proactively promote positive joint working across housing authorities and children's services, offering training, advice and support to all local authorities.
Furthermore, since 2018/19, as part of the Government's rough sleeping strategy, the Department for Education has provided funding to local authorities with the highest number of care leavers at risk of homelessness/rough sleeping. This funding allows them to employ specialist Personal Advisers to provide intensive support to small caseloads of care leavers most at risk. In 2021-22, we are providing £2.7 million to 56 local authorities.
Overall, the Government has committed over £800 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping this year, further demonstrating the Government's commitment to end rough sleeping this Parliament and fully enforce the Homelessness Reduction Act.