How Wales plans to stop people becoming homeless
How Wales plans to stop people becoming homeless
The Welsh Government say its new bill will create a 'fairer system' which will save money
Details of a new law to prevent people becoming homeless and get more people into homes have been published. The Welsh Government has said it has listened to people who have been homeless to create something which will see a number of agencies, such as councils, charities, and housing providers, work together to focus more on preventing anyone becoming homeless but also to get people into longer-term homes.
The Welsh Government say its new bill will create a "fairer system" and that its reforms – which are coming as homelessness and the associated costs are set to rise – will help save money.
They say the current model is focused on responding once someone is in crisis but this is the most expensive model and it is better for those people affected, as well as cheaper, to focus on prevention.
The key points
Focus on earlier identification and prevention with councils having to work with people earlier
The assessment process will be more focused on people
Current tests which are barriers to those who need help are being removed
A new test for councils to help those in their area is being introduced
Target action at those most at risk, particularly young people leaving care
Focus on a multi-agency response to homelessness
There will be a new duty to help people keep suitable accommodation
One of the elements of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill is to lengthen the period where someone is considered at risk of homelessness from 56 days to six months in the hope earlier intervention will prevent people being left without a home.
The hope is that this change will mean councils have more opportunity to keep someone at risk in their existing accommodation to save the disruption and trauma experienced by households, particularly children, experiencing homelessness. It will also be more efficient in terms of resources. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
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The law will remove the current priority need test and the intentionality test. The priority need test is an eligibility test as to whether someone is entitled to help but the Welsh Government say it thinks anyone who needs help should get it and is removing that test.
The intentionality test effectively asks if someone has made themselves homeless. However the Welsh Government say application of the intentionality test varies across Wales and the people found to be intentionally homeless are at risk of rough sleeping.
They say greater emphasis needs to be placed on understanding the actions of people, including those with complex support needs and survivors of abuse, and the intentionality test acts as a barrier to understanding these needs.
The definition of domestic abuse will be extended to include additional forms of abuse such as harassment, stalking, and exploitation.
The new bill also introduces a new duty to provide help to retain suitable accommodation. As part of the research before details of the law were released it was found councils and housing associations were describing increasing levels of need among individuals experiencing homelessness and the challenges associated with meeting this need.
The changes in this area will not be universal but for those who remain at risk unless they are provided with support to retain accommodation.
The cost of the law is £247m over 10 years but the Welsh Government say it will bring financial benefits of £481m.
Chief executive of Crisis, Matt Downie, said the bill showed "bold action" was needed. 'Everyone needs a place to call home. Yet, right now, over 12,000 people in Wales are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness and all the trauma that comes with it. But in these difficult times this draft law brings much hope for the future.
"This draft new law holds the potential to transform lives by helping to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and, over time, unlocking key parts of the current law which can leave people shut out of support.
"Crisis will be looking closely at the details of this bill as it progresses through the Senedd but the ambition set out today is a real milestone for Wales in building a future without homelessness."
Wales' minister who looks after housing, Jayne Bryant, said it was a law which will "transform lives". "Every person deserves a safe place to call home and these reforms bring us closer to making that a reality across Wales.
"I'm particularly pleased about what this means for young care leavers. By bringing housing and social services teams together we'll ensure these young people – who are our responsibility – get the support they need.
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"Ending homelessness in Wales isn't just an aspiration – it's achievable if we work together to spot warning signs early and step in with the right support before crisis hits. This bill gives us the tools to make that happen."
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