England to give councils stronger powers over social housing and homelessness

The English government is set to give councils stronger powers over social housing and homelessness, including the ability to refer homeless households directly to housing associations. Housing associations will be told they cannot reject referrals without reasonable grounds, according to measures Angela Rayner will outline at the Labour conference. Homelessness charities said the changes could help families in temporary accommodation and people at risk of rough sleeping.

Councils will also receive 60 days’ notice when social homes are to be sold, allowing them or other social providers to bid for the properties. Public services will be required to notify councils when people face a crisis that could lead to homelessness. The measures will be included in a social housing bill currently before the Commons.

Rayner said councils understood their communities best and were ultimately accountable when families lacked secure homes. Crisis chief executive Matt Downie called the proposals significant, while Shelter said they would work only if enough homes were available. Shelter campaign director Mairi MacRae said better use of existing housing could not replace large-scale construction.

Rayner said the government wanted councils to build more housing and was encouraging them to prepare plans for the next funding round. She did not commit to allocating the entire planned £16bn affordable-homes programme to social housing. Shelter said England needed 90,000 social-rent homes annually for a decade to end homelessness.

The government also plans a collaboration duty for health services and councils to support earlier intervention.