Prescott to rethink ODPM definition of ‘homeless’

Deputy prime minister John Prescott is planning to review the definitions of homelessness and social housing, he revealed on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Thames Gateway Forum in London, Prescott said: “I am looking at reviewing this. I want to define what is meant by homelessness and have an intelligent debate.

“When I look at it, I see homeless people as people on the streets. I want to put this phrase into a proper context.

“Obviously, I want to get people out of B&Bs and temporary accommodation and into council homes, but then you have to question if this is still classed as homelessness.”

He continued: “This is not a means of getting out of the problem but it will kick-start a proper debate. I will make further announcements about this.”

Prescott also said he wanted to question the meaning of social housing.

“What do we mean by social housing? Is it key workers? Is it shared equity? The sooner we sort out these definitions, the sooner we can have a proper debate.”

However, an ODPM spokesman denied there were any reviews of homelessness or social housing on the cards.

He said: “One thing about affordable housing is you cannot define it properly because affordability is based on the individual – where they live, the market and so on.

“We are not doing a review of that or one on homelessness. We are happy with the definition of statutory homelessness and the broad definition of affordability.”

However, homelessness experts have suggested that Prescott might want to make a different change to the official definition.

Prescott may be planning to differentiate between people in self-contained temporary homes on relatively secure tenancies and those in poorer-quality temporary housing with shared facilities.

Consultant Ashley Horsey, formerly head of the ODPM’s bed-and-breakfast unit, said he would welcome such a distinction.

He said: “The certainty of how long they can stay needs to be looked at but let’s not lump good-quality leased accommodation in the same category as B&Bs.”

The number of people accepted as homeless each year has risen from 102,000 to 137,440 since Labour came to power in 1997.

The main reason for the increase is the Homelessness Act 2002, which imposed extra duties on councils. The act resulted in a steep rise in households in temporary homes: ODPM figures due next month are expected to top 100,000 for the first time.

Adam Sampson, director of charity Shelter, said he wanted to discuss this further with Prescott.

“If he means we should give greater attention to those in the greatest housing need, great.

“But if he is saying people in temporary accommodation should no longer be called homeless and no longer receive government attention, we would have considerable concerns.”