Written questions by Khan.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in ground rents on the ability of leaseholders to sell their homes.

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help promote (a) private and (b) communal garden space in new housing developments; and whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing minimum garden density of 29.5% in all new developments.

The National Planning Policy Framework emphasises the importance of a network of high quality, open spaces for the health and wellbeing of communities and the environment. This is supported by national design guidance, which explains that well designed places provide both usable private and public open green spaces, which can include private and communal gardens.We currently have no plans to assess the merits of introducing minimum garden density in new developments.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to recognise (a) private and (b) communal gardens as a part of green infrastructure in the delivery of (i) net zero and (ii) climate resilience strategies.

The National Planning Policy Framework defines green infrastructure as a network of multi-functional green and blue spaces and other natural features – urban and rural – that are capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health, and wellbeing benefits for nature, climate, local and wider communities and prosperity. In this context, private and communal gardens can form part of green infrastructure, as they are capable of falling under this broad definition. The Framework further makes clear that new development should be planned for in ways that avoid increased vulnerability to the range of impacts arising from climate change. When new development is brought forward in areas which are vulnerable, care should be taken to ensure that risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures, including through incorporating green infrastructure.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to reduce disparities in the number of people from ethnic minority communities experiencing (a) homelessness and (B) rough sleeping.

No one should be discriminated against when trying to access a safe, secure and affordable home. Councils should ensure that homelessness accommodation and support services are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the specific needs of different communities, helping to build trust and improve engagement. The Government is committed to getting back on track to ending homelessness, and our cross-Government strategy will set out the actions needed across central and local government and the homelessness sector to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. We have already taken the first steps, investing more than £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year, a £316 million increase on the previous year. Councils can use this funding flexibly to meet the needs of people in their communities.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding to local authorities to support homelessness (a) prevention and (b) relief in Manchester Rusholme constituency.

The Government has increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million this year to a total of more than £1 billion. This includes an extra £84 million announced on 10 October 2025.Local authority allocations are published through gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for local authorities to support homelessness (a) prevention and (b) relief.

The Government inherited a homelessness crisis. In response we are providing over £1 billion for homelessness services this year, a £316 million increase on the previous year. The 2025 Spending Review has protected this record level of investment for the next three years.

Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on the number of households in temporary accommodation in Manchester; and what his policy is on reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation in Manchester.

The Government publishes data on the number of people in temporary accommodation in England on gov.uk here.The Government is working to get back on track to ending homelessness, including developing a new cross-Government strategy and increasing funding for homelessness services this year by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to help tackle levels of furniture poverty for people living in social housing.

On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether it is her policy that her Department's planned affordable housing will meet the (a) best practice guidance from the revised Decent Homes Standard and (b) best practice guidance on furniture provision.

On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of levels of furniture poverty in social housing in Manchester Rusholme constituency.

On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to include provisions for prevention programmes for young people at risk of homelessness in her planned homelessness strategy.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. To reduce the numbers of people experiencing homelessness, we must stop people reaching crisis point by preventing homelessness before it happens. Youth homelessness will be considered as part of our long-term, cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness for good.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the Homelessness Strategy.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy. We expect to publish the strategy following the conclusion of Phase 2 of the Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Housing First Unit established by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The government supports Mayor Burnham’s initiative to improve access to quality housing across Greater Manchester. Nationally, we are increasing funding for homelessness to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26 and working to reduce homelessness by delivering 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament and abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions through our Renters’ Rights Bill. The government is committed to taking further action to raise quality standards in both rented sectors. Reforms are underway to drive up social housing standards, with stronger regulations to hold landlords accountable to regulatory standards. We will introduce Awaab’s Law to both rented sectors and bring forward consultation on the Decent Homes Standard that all social housing landlords must meet. For more information on the steps we are taking to increasing the supply of social and affordable housing, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 41721 on 3 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, how much funding her Department has provided for local infrastructure projects related to housing development in (a) Greater Manchester and (b) Manchester Rusholme constituency in each of the last five years.

£630 million is being devolved to Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Mayor Burnham through the integrated settlement for 2025-26 to support growth in the city region.As the relevant local planning authorities, it is for Manchester City Council and GMCA to work together to consider infrastructure requirements in support of any new housing developments.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities to provide infrastructure alongside new housing developments in (a) Greater Manchester and (b) Manchester Rusholme constituency.

£630 million is being devolved to Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Mayor Burnham through the integrated settlement for 2025-26 to support growth in the city region.As the relevant local planning authorities, it is for Manchester City Council and GMCA to work together to consider infrastructure requirements in support of any new housing developments.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to increase the level of affordable housing in (a) Greater Manchester and (b) Manchester Rusholme constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 41721 on 3 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the benefit of including measures to repair (a) poor-quality and (b) unsafe unsafe existing housing stock in the upcoming housing strategy,.

The government intends to publish a long-term housing strategy later this year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on local authority budgets of providing crisis support to families impacted by No Recourse to Public Funds conditions.

The majority of funding in the local government finance settlement is unringfenced, recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities. It is at the discretion of each local authority as to how much is allocated to the packages of support they provide to families in crisis, including those impacted by No Recourse to Public Funds conditions.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the total cost to the public purse of local authorities providing crisis support to families affected by No Recourse to Public Funds conditions.

The majority of funding in the local government finance settlement is unringfenced, recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities. It is at the discretion of each local authority as to how much is allocated to the packages of support they provide to families in crisis, including those impacted by No Recourse to Public Funds conditions.