Government promises long-term action to tackle homelessness
12:01 AM, 3rd November 2026, 8 hours ago
The government claims its plans will address the root causes of homelessness and improve access to affordable housing.
In a written parliamentary answer, homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi said the government’s National Plan to End Homelessness would help drive long-term change by tackling housing availability and affordability.
The news comes as councils across England will have the power to take control of empty homes.
Plan to end homelessness
Homeless minister Florence Eshalomi said: “Our National Plan to End Homelessness will drive long-term sustainable change to address the root causes of homelessness, including housing availability and affordability.
“In the Plan, the government committed to reviewing statutory guidance on social housing allocations in England to ensure it supports wider social housing and homelessness objectives. Work is underway with stakeholders and we will publish updated guidance for consultation next year.
“In addition, we are legislating through the Social Housing Bill to enable councils to refer a homeless household to a private registered provider of social housing to be offered housing unless the private provider has a good reason not to do so. This is delivering on another commitment made in National Plan to End Homelessness.
“Finally, we have delivered the biggest boost to grant funding in recent memory through our new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme with a core objective to maximise supply, particularly of Social Rent homes.”
She added: “The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026 and strengthens tenants’ rights. The Act ends unfair bidding wars, prevents landlords from demanding large amounts of rent in advance, and tackles rental discrimination.
“It also bans Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and provides stronger powers for tenants to challenge excessive rent hikes.”
Take control of empty homes
The government have also announced councils in England will be able to take control of homes left empty for six months under government plans to cut the current two-year threshold.
Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) allow local authorities to take over a property’s management and rent it out for up to seven years, while ownership stays with the owner.
Councils will also no longer need to provide evidence relating to anti-social behaviour or community support when seeking an order through the Residential Property Tribunal.
