Shelter: London Conference

Homeless families get priority rights to social housing.

The Minister will issue a consultation paper, but hopes to have changes to the existing system in place by the autumn. Ms Armstrong said at the conference on the future of housing "We now have a chance to restore hope to homeless people. The Government has consistently made clear its intention to restore a proper safety net for families and vulnerable individuals who are unintentionally homeless." She said the plan was to create an additional category of people to whom local councils will be required to give "reasonable preference" in the allocation of social housing.

Armstrong: Restoring hope to the homeless

Homelessness a scourge on a modern society

Ms Armstrong said: "This will ensure that homeless families and vulnerable individuals have the priority they deserve in the social housing queue." Such a move would not require legislation.

She said Government concern for the vulnerable would also be demonstrated by looking at ways of ensuring that a homeless family could only be directed towards accommodation in the private rented sector if it would be available for two years.

She said she would also be looking at ways of working to tackle the particular concern of youth homelessness.

The consultation paper outlining proposals will be sent to all local housing authorities in England by the Department of the Environment shortly.