Written questions by Race.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle youth homelessness.

Homelessness levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million in 2025/26 compared to last year, taking our total investment to £1 billion. Local authorities can use this funding to respond to the needs of their communities. The government is also considering youth homelessness as part of our long-term, cross-government strategy; working with Mayors, councils and key stakeholders to get us back on track to ending homelessness for good.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to add specific protections for young people to the Homelessness Code of Guidance.

Our Homelessness Code of Guidance provides a summary of the homelessness legislation duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, including young people. We keep the Homelessness Code of Guidance under review and update it regularly following changes to legislation and feedback from our Homelessness Advice and Support Team of advisors who meet frequently with local authorities.

Communities and Local Government, how much and what proportion of funding remains to be (a) allocated and (b) spent through the Affordable Homes Programme.

As the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in her written ministerial statement of 30 July 2024, the government is aware that, particularly outside London, almost all the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme funding is contractually committed.The programme is delivered by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in London and by Homes England in the rest of England. Homes England’s Annual Report and Financial statements for 2023/24 confirm that, by the end of 2023/24, Homes England had invested £3.7 billion of its £7.4 billion budget for the 2021-26 programme.The GLA does not publish details of its capital spending for individual programmes.