Councils told to house homeless people in boats and caravans

Councils in England will be encouraged to house homeless people in caravans and houseboats from next year, as well as in the private rented sector.

Under the Localism Bill, homeless people will not be able to refuse private sector accommodation if a council offers it to them. At the moment, they can say no and councils must then offer them social housing.

But now CLG has gone further and said that caravans, mobile homes and houseboats can be used to house people in some circumstances, provided the accommodation is ‘suitable’ in terms of quality, space and affordability.

A CLG spokesperson said that the department did not expect caravans and boats “to be much used” by councils but insisted that this type of accommodation nevertheless had a role to play.

Alastair Murray, deputy director of Housing Justice, said the move seemed “a bit desperate”.

Housing minister Grant Shapps had already called on local councils to be more willing to provide more residential moorings, allowing people to live on houseboats in areas where they might not be able to afford homes.

He announced that the New Homes Bonus would extend to houseboats and static caravans.