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28th October 2016: The second reading of The Homelessness Reduction Bill (28 October 2016)

Date: 28/10/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, 28th October 2016: The second reading of The Homelessness Reduction Bill

Homelessness is an issue that affects a large number of the UK’s population. The Homelessness Reduction Bill presents a historic opportunity to bring about a significant change in tackling homelessness around England.

The Bill will increase access homeless people have to meaningful support to tackle their homelessness by introducing a new duty on Council’s to take steps to prevent people’s homelessness.

The Bill focuses on advice, information and prevention with the aim to set out housing advice and assistance Local Authorities must provide to individuals prior to their homelessness.

The onus would be on local authorities to demonstrate that they are taking reasonable steps to prevent homelessness. The current position is that a person is deemed to be threatened with homelessness if they are likely to be homeless within 28 days. The Bill proposes to extend this period to 56 days to allow the Council to assist in tackling the threat of homelessness at an earlier point through mediation, debt management and housing searches.

This type of assistance would be beneficial to not just individuals but to landlords alike as the preventative tools employed by the Local Authority would include mediation between tenants and landlords.

These proposals could bring about a positive change to peoples life’s that are not only homeless, but facing homelessness. The shift towards a greater emphasis on homeless prevention is likely to have a positive impact on individuals and households facing homelessness.

On the 24th of October a Press release revealed that The Homelessness Reduction Private Members Bill is to be supported by the government, confirmed by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid . This builds on the government’s commitment in December 2015 to consider all options, including legislation, to prevent homelessness.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:

“No one should have to sleep rough on the streets. We want to build a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. That’s why we are determined to do all we can to help those who lose their homes and provide them with the support they need to get their lives back on track. This government is therefore, very pleased to support Bob Blackman MP’s Private Members Bill, with its ambitious measures to help reduce homelessness.”

The government’s support for the bill comes just a week after it confirmed £40 million to provide innovative approaches to tackle and prevent homelessness. The government has invested £500 million since 2010 which has helped to prevent or relieve over one million cases of homelessness.

As a leading provider for legal aid, Duncan Lewis encounter homeless clients on a daily basis who will benefit greatly from the proposals contained within the bill which will increase the assistance provided by the Local Authorities to these homeless individuals. Duncan Lewis Solicitors can advise on applying for Legal Aid for homelessness advice and assistance. Our Housing team, ranked by Legal 500 2015 and 2016 for its services nationwide to social tenants across London, provide guidance for landlords and tenants on all housing issues. We are highly experienced at finding solutions to your housing issues and aim to address cases quickly and effectively.

If you are facing homelessness or you are homeless, it is likely that you would qualify for Legal Aid, subject to a financial assessment. Legal aid in respect of homelessness extends to advice on the suitability of the accommodation offered to you as part of your homeless application with the Local Authority. For further information on any Housing issue contact Duncan Lewis’ specialist Housing Solicitors on 0333 772 0409

Author Isabelle Alajoozjoined Duncan Lewis in March 2014 in the Housing Law Department. Isabelle has an extensive wealth of knowledge in Housing Law and her case load ranges from matters relating to representation at possession proceedings, homelessness review, disrepair, unlawful eviction, representation at injunction hearings, Judicial Reviews and anti-social behaviour proceedings.

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