Minister gives warning to the homeless

Legislation aimed at ending homelessness could increase the number of people in temporary accommodation, the housing minister has 
conceded.

From December 31, councils have to provide settled accommodation to anyone who becomes unintentionally homeless.

The new requirement means there “may be more people in the short term in temporary accommodation” such as flats, hostels, bedsits or bed-and-breakfast accommodation, Margaret Burgess said.

She said: “What we are saying is if you are homeless through no fault of your own – homeless is homeless – you should be entitled to permanent accommodation.

“There may be more people in the short term in temporary accommodation until they can get permanent accommodation, but they will get permanent accommodation.”