RR3 Special Interest Group on Accommodation 2023-24: Report 1

We are pleased to publish the first report from our Special Interest Group on Accommodation. Convened as part of the work of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group, the SIG’s work has highlighted the barriers to accessing accommodation (either temporary or settled) for people leaving prison or people with a criminal record. These are as follows: 

1. Problems accessing temporary accommodation or suitable settled accommodation via effective resettlement planning, homelessness legislation or Government provision
2. Problems accessing the private rented sector (PRS), including Local Housing Allowance (LHA), guarantors, upfront costs and discrimination 
3. Problems accessing adequate housing-related support, including the level of support required and the limitations of current commissioned services.

This first report corresponds to the first barrier and highlights specific barriers to accessing local authority accommodation.