Homelessness Reduction Act

What is the Homelessness Reduction Act?

The Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA), effective from April 2018, increases our requirements to help all people that are homeless or threatened with homelessness rather than just those with a 'priority need'.

The Act adds two new duties:

1. To take steps to prevent homelessness

If you're at risk of losing suitable accommodation, we're now required to assist you within 56 days from the date you were threatened with homelessness (previously 28 days before the HRA was introduced). You'll get help once you've received a valid notice from your landlord.

2. To take steps to relieve homelessness

If you're homeless, we'll help to secure accommodation for you, regardless of whether you're 'intentionally homeless' or in 'priority need'. This will mean that help is offered to find a home for all eligible households.

If neither duty is successful

Should neither of the above steps work and the household becomes homeless, or remain homeless, then those in 'priority need' retain their right to be rehoused, although non-priority households will not be entitled to further help.