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MPs to debate trio of housing-focused amendments to policing bill
Amendments suggesting the imposition of new duties on social landlords to ensure faster information-sharing in serious violence cases will be considered by MPs tomorrow.
An amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill has called for social landlords to be included in a multi-agency response to cases of serious violence.
Labour’s Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, who will table the amendment, said it would “ensure that registered social landlords are included in this new duty and ensure that there is timely information sharing between the police and registered landlords for the purpose of preventing serious violence”.
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Another amendment put forward would ensure that families with teenagers at risk of gang violence are given the same priority for urgent moves as families fleeing domestic abuse.
A briefing on the amendments, which have been supported by charities including Shelter, Crisis and Homeless Link, said: “Evidence from practitioners shows how young people, care leavers, people with multiple needs and families facing threats of violence approaching their local authorities seeking help to move out of harmful situations are not given adequate support due to not being viewed as in priority need.”
A third amendment would see the Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities updated to include specific guidance around serious violence cases.
The briefing said: “The current Homelessness Code of Guidance highlights certain vulnerabilities faced by groups such as young people, care leavers and victims of trafficking should be considered as part of a housing application. However, there is little guidance around young people at risk from violence and exploitation.
“By enhancing the current Code of Guidance for local authorities, to take into specific account the needs of and risks faced by people at risk from serious violence, the government can ensure that the needs of this vulnerable group are specifically considered by local housing authorities to protect them from further risks of violence by living on the streets.”
The amendments have received the backing of 16 housing and youth justice organisations.
