So what does the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 mean?

The Homelessness Reduction Act received Royal Assent on 27th April 2017, and came into effect on Tuesday 3rd April 2018

It started out as a private members bill introduced by Bob Blackman MP, back in June 2016, before being published after the Select Committee for Communities and Local Government had a homelessness inquiry.

The key measures are:

An extension of the period ‘threatened with homelessness’ from 28 to 56 days, this means a person is treated as being threatened with homelessness if it is likely they will become homeless within 56 days.

A duty on local authorities to prevent homelessness for all eligible homeless applicants threatened with homelessness, regardless of priority need.

A duty for local authorities to relieve homelessness for all eligible homeless applicants, regardless of priority need.

A duty to refer – public service will need to notify a local authority if they come into contact with someone they think may be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

A duty for local authorities to provide advisory services on homelessness, preventing homelessness and people’s rights, free of charge.

A duty for local authorities to access all applicants’ cases and agree a personalised plan.

For more information about the Act and its effects can be found by visiting:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homelessness-reduction-bill-policy-factsheets

Written by Emmerson Walgrove, Chair of Bradford Speakout & Trustee of Equality Together