Summary
Guidance on how local authorities should exercise their homelessness functions in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 from 3 April 2018.
Local housing and social services authorities must have regard to this guidance when exercising their functions relating to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
See also the Local Government Association procedures for referrals to another local authority (external link).
Contents
-
Full PDF version of the guidance.
-
Definitions used in the code of guidance.
-
A summary of the homelessness legislation and the duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
-
The purpose of the code and the relevant equality duties that housing authorities need to consider in carrying out their duties.
-
Guidance on housing authority duties to carry out a homelessness review and publish a homelessness strategy.
-
Guidance on housing authority duties to provide free advice and information about homelessness and the prevention of homelessness, and to ensure they design advice to meet the needs of particular vulnerable groups.
-
Guidance on the duty on specified public bodies to refer service users that may be homeless or threatened with homelessness to a local housing authority.
-
Guidance on contracting out homelessness functions.
-
Guidance on how to determine whether a person is homeless or threatened with homelessness according to legislation.
-
Guidance on the provisions relating to an applicant’s eligibility for homelessness services.
-
Guidance on the categories of applicant who have a priority need for accommodation if they become homeless.
-
Guidance on determining whether an applicant has become homeless intentionally under homelessness legislation.
-
Guidance on the provisions relating to an applicant’s local connection with an area and explains the procedures for referring an applicant to another housing authority.
-
Guidance on the initial assessments required to determine the duties owed to a person applying for homelessness assistance; personalised housing plans and the reasonable steps to be taken to prevent or relieve homelessness.
-
Guidance on duties owed to applicants who are threatened with becoming homeless, to try and prevent their homelessness.
-
Guidance on duties owed to applicants who are homeless, to try and relieve their homelessness.
-
Guidance on how the prevention and relief duties come to an end.
-
Guidance on housing authority duties and powers to secure accommodation for applicants; how they arise and are brought to an end, including under the main housing duty.
-
Guidance on the various ways in which housing authorities can secure suitable accommodation for applicants.
-
Guidance on housing authority duties to ensure that accommodation secured for homeless applicants is suitable.
-
Guidance on procedural requirements related to homelessness applications and the notification of decisions.
-
Guidance on the procedures to be followed when an applicant requests a review of decisions reached on their homelessness application.
-
Guidance on the duties and powers housing authorities have to protect the personal property of an applicant who is homeless.
-
Guidance on providing homelessness services to people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic violence or abuse.
-
Guidance on providing homelessness services to care leavers.
-
Guidance on providing homelessness services to people with an offending history.
-
Guidance on providing homelessness services to former members of the armed forces.
-
Guidance on providing homelessness services to victims of modern slavery.
-
Guidance on providing homelessness services to eligible people who have experienced or are at risk of violence.
-
Guidance on considering housing applications from persons who are subject to the habitual residence test.