London Councils has taken a major step toward improving how local authorities manage out-of-area homelessness placements with the creation of a new Task and Finish Group earlier this year.
The cross-sector group — which brought together borough housing officers, public health representatives, and other key partners — has produced a set of Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) to guide councils in strengthening their approach to homelessness placements.
Designed as a practical self-assessment framework, the KLOEs help councils achieve best practice in several key areas, including:
- Statutory compliance under Section 208 of the Housing Act 1996
- Cross-department collaboration within placing councils
- Informed decision-making to ensure host councils can plan local services effectively
- Inter-authority communication between placing and host councils
- Smooth transitions for households moving into new areas
- Safeguarding to protect vulnerable individuals and families
- Data collection to inform strategy and understand service impacts
Although developed by London stakeholders, the framework has wider national relevance. It provides councils across the country with self-assessment questions, case studies, and a shared contact register to improve coordination and accountability.
London has also achieved a notable milestone — becoming the first and only region in England to reach full compliance with this aspect of the Local Government Association’s guidance.
Officials hope the KLOEs will now serve as a model for other regions aiming to improve transparency, safety, and collaboration in tackling homelessness. Photo by Lewis Clarke, Wikimedia commons.