Homelessness

We have duties to provide assistance to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness and a main housing duty is owed to anyone who is eligible (not subject to immigration control), have a priority need for accommodation and are not intentionally homeless.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 places new duties on us to prevent homelessness in the local area and provide homelessness services to all those affected, not just those who have priority need. The new duties include:

• working with all people who are threatened with homelessness within 56 days rather than 28 days to prevent homelessness
• assessing all applicants and agreeing a plan
• supporting households who are already homeless for 56 days by helping them to secure accommodation
• providing advice and information free of charge about homelessness and the prevention of homelessness and the rights of homeless people, as well as the help available and how to access that help.