1st June 2012
New safeguards to ensure vulnerable families are placed in suitable, privately-rented accommodation have been proposed by Housing Minister Grant Shapps.
It comes ahead of a new power giving councils more options to tackle record waiting lists and move people out of expensive temporary accommodation.
A change in the law - aimed at tackling record waiting lists that doubled in the previous 15 years - means local authorities will soon be able to fulfil their legal duty to vulnerable residents who fall homeless by finding them suitable accommodation in the private rented sector.
Ministers acted because councils have been restricted by rules limiting how they could help those at risk of homelessness - with those deemed eligible for help able to turn down offers of private rented accommodation and wait for a social home.
The proposed rules are contained in a new consultation that also sets out how homeless families should face the least possible disruption when being offered new accommodation.
The proposed safeguards private landlords will have to meet before councils can place homeless families in their accommodation include:
