LONDON — Ministers in the UK government are considering measures to ban London councils from relocating homeless families to distant locations across England. This consideration follows rulings by high courts that found some London councils acted unlawfully when placing homeless families in faraway areas.

The relocation of homeless families from London has increased amid a housing shortage. The government's guidance indicates that housing placements outside an area should not solely depend on cost. However, some London councils have paid intermediary companies to house homeless families in unfurnished properties located over 200 miles from London. Approximately twelve local authorities spent more than £140 million to purchase properties outside London for this purpose. Councils must notify another local authority if they send homeless individuals outside their borough under the Housing Act, which also mandates that local authorities find accommodation for homeless individuals within their borough where reasonably practical.

Homelessness minister Alison McGovern stated that the practice of relocating families far from their homes was a real worry. McGovern said the government was prepared to clamp down on the worst form of it following an ongoing review. She added that ministers would consider going further than current guidance because something is clearly not working here. Any proposed ban on long-distance relocations is expected to include exceptions for individuals who need to leave London.

Florence Eshalomi, chair of the Commons housing select committee, stated that ministers should seriously examine introducing a limit on the distance of all out-of-area placements. Reloc8, a Derbyshire-based firm, has received approximately £2 million from Croydon and Enfield councils to facilitate moves for homeless families. Sophie Earnshaw, a strategic litigation solicitor at Shelter, said that companies like Reloc8 offer councils a quick fix but were benefiting financially from the housing crisis. "We cannot allow private companies to cash in on the housing emergency, and councils' desperation to house people, if it means struggling families are left paying the price," Earnshaw stated.