Legislation

Question 1

What is Part VII of the Housing Act 1996?

Answer 1

This is the primary legislation concerning homelessness in England. It establishes the statutory framework for actions to prevent and assist homelessness.

Question 2

Which duties are mandated by Part VII of the Housing Act 1996?

Answer 2

• Duty of Application Consideration and Assessment
• Duty of Prevention, Relief and Accommodation

Question 3

What is the Homelessness Act 2002?

Give 3 points

Answer 3

In 2002 Amendments were made to the Housing Act 1996 through this Act to strengthen strategies and assistance available for homeless individuals.

• The government extended the priority need categories to homeless 16 and 17 year olds; care leavers aged 18, 19 and 20; people who are vulnerable as a result of time spent in care, the armed forces, prison or custody, and people who are vulnerable because they have fled their home because of violence.
• Under the act, all housing authorities must have in place a homelessness strategy based on a review of all forms of homelessness in their district. The strategy must be renewed at least every 5 years. The social services authority must provide reasonable assistance.

Question 4

Which duty is mandated by the Homelessness Act 2022

Answer 4

• Duty of Homelessness Review and Strategy

Question 5

What is the Localism Act 2011?

Answer 5

• Under prior rules, homeless could reject private rentals, leading to some with short-term needs gaining permanent social housing, disadvantaging those in greater long-term need.
• The Localism Act offers high-quality private rentals, easing housing pressure.

Question 6

What is the Protection from Eviction Act 1977?

Answer 6

This states that unlawful eviction is where any person unlawfully deprives or attempts to deprive a residential occupier of his/her occupation of the premises without going through correct legal procedures.

Question 7

What is the Homelessness Reduction act 2017?

Answer 7

• Reformed England’s homelessness legislation by placing duties on local authorities to intervene at earlier stages to prevent homelessness.
• It also requires housing authorities to provide homelessness services to all those affected, not just those who have ‘priority need’.
• Increased the prevention and relief periods from 28 to 56 days

Question 8

Which duties are mandated by the Homelessness Reduction act 2017?

Answer 8

• Duty of referral
• Duty of prevention, relief and accommodation