HOMELESSNESS LINK REPORT ON MOVE-ON ACCOMMODATION

Early day motion 557, tabled 19 January 2005 by Karen Buck (Labour). Signed by 87 members.

That this House notes the publication of the No Room to Move report by Homelessness Link, that reveals the serious level of silting up or bed-blocking in London's mainstream emergency hostels; further notes the report's findings which show that 46 per cent. of spaces in London's mainstream hostels are occupied by people who are ready and willing to move into permanent accommodation, but are unable to do so because of a lack of suitable alternatives; further notes the damaging effects that a prolonged enforced stay in a hostel can have on an individual's self-esteem and confidence when they are ready to move on to permanent accommodation; and urges the Government to lead other partners in taking action to increase the supply of move-on accommodation and free up hostel bed places by enabling those with little or no support needs to find permanent homes in private rented accommodation, giving those with low support needs better access to social housing and providing supported accommodation for those with high levels of support needs.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Conservative 32, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 4, DUP 2, Independent 1, UUP 1.