Homelessness and Pregnancy
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with (a) local authorities and (b) Cabinet colleagues to provide homeless and pregnant women with (i) housing, (ii) healthcare and wellbeing and (iii) financial support.
Answered by Rushanara Ali
Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. We have already taken the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26.
The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy, and working with mayors and councils across the country.
Pregnant women experiencing homelessness continue to have priority need for accommodation under the Homelessness Reduction Act (2018), which places a duty on local housing authorities to prevent and relieve homelessness.
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