The Homelessness Reduction Act sounds good but, with increasing family/pensioner and child poverty, fundamental change is required.

The idea is to reduce demand on an overstretched sector, but reality may prove different, and much more costly. Councils know the amounts given by government are insufficient and frequently force people at risk of being evicted, which is stressful and unnecessary. There are too many empty homes, under-occupation and unscrupulous landlords. A massive benefit take-up campaign would reduce the expected increase in all the above.

Gary Martin

Carr Road, Walthamstow