ANYONE facing homelessness will spend no longer than a week in unsuitable accommodation like bed and breakfasts under new legislation.

The seven-day limit on unsuitable temporary accommodation which currently covers families with children and pregnant women, will be extended to protect everyone at risk of homelessness.

The changes which will come into effect by May 2021.

Kevin Stewart, housing minister, said: “We know that people living in these unsuitable environments can for too long often lack cooking or washing facilities, and some have reported that they cannot have visits from family.

“These experiences have a detrimental effect on people’s physical and mental wellbeing, preventing them from rebuilding their lives.

“While temporary accommodation can offer an important emergency safety net for anyone who finds themselves homeless, such as those fleeing domestic violence, it should be a purely temporary measure.

“This legislation will make sure that the time anyone spends in unsuitable temporary accommodation is as short as possible before moving to a more appropriate, permanent home.”