Almost all RSLs involved in providing temporary housing are increasing the number of properties they lease from the private sector. Nationally, RSLs provide 21,300 such homes; local authorities provide 16,960. In London, the figures are 17,700 and 14,390 respectively (ODPM, December 2003).
However, providing more temporary housing is not the only way in which RSLs are helping local authorities house the homeless. More than 90% of new lettings to family-sized RSL homes in London go to council nominees. In most areas, councils and RSLs are working together constructively and imaginatively to make sure the government's homelessness target is met.
The Association of London Government and the London Housing Federation have been lobbying the government for changes to temporary housing funding to ensure provision is sustained and increased.
The only places where it is almost impossible for RSLs confidently to deliver more temporary homes are those where housing benefit delivery is chronically failing.
Source
Housing Today
Postscript
Sue Ellenby, head, London Housing Federation
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