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“We are calling on the Government to build on this by using the Budget to adapt welfare reforms to protect families at risk of becoming homeless, and restore local housing allowance rates to cover at least the lowest third of market rents."

“With greater planning powers and resources to hold developers to account in the Budget, councils can ensure the right homes are built in the right places with the required infrastructure needed by different groups within local communities."

“With over two thirds of councils spending more than they planned to on tackling homelessness, it is vital the Government follows this with long-term funding for homeless prevention in the Spending Review."

“We are pleased the Government has listened to the LGA and launched this new fund, which will help ensure thousands of building residents will no longer have to live with dangerous cladding systems."

“Yesterday’s funding announced in the Budget for the Affordable Homes Programme was a positive step, and confirmation of the Housing Infrastructure Fund will help build new homes."

“These figures highlight the extreme pressures homelessness services continue to be under, as a result of rising demand driven by a severe shortage of social housing."

Responding to the announcement by government that councils have been asked to support rough sleepers and other vulnerable homeless into accommodation by the end of the week, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “Councils have been working hard to identify rough sleepers and homeless people, get them off the streets and into suitable accommodation and help protect them from the coronavirus. “This will be a huge task given the shortage of accommodation available with many councils now affected by the recent closures of hotels and the difficulties some have

Responding to the Government’s building safety announcement, Lord Porter, the Local Government Association’s building safety spokesman, said: “Residents have a right to be safe and feel safe in their own homes. This is even more important during the current coronavirus pandemic, as so many people are confined to their homes. “The Government’s announcement that the remediation of cladding remains a top priority is positive news, and industry and duty-holders now need to step up and deliver the work required. Leaseholders, who are facing a triple whammy of mortgage refusals, spiralling

Desperately-needed new social homes could go unbuilt unless councils are granted an extension to the time they are allowed to spend money from Right to Buy sales, the Local Government Association warns today.

“It is good that government has brought forward measures to ensure that planning departments can continue to operate effectively within current public health guidelines."