Last amended by Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 in 2017. Extended duties to prevent and relieve homelessness.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 is the statutory safety net for homelessness in England. It sets out the duties a local housing authority owes to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness: to make inquiries into eligibility and the circumstances (s.184), to provide interim accommodation where the applicant may have a priority need (s.188), and — for those who are eligible, in priority need, and not intentionally homeless — to secure suitable accommodation under the main housing duty (s.193). It defines homelessness and threatened homelessness (s.175) and the categories of priority need (s.189). Since the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 the authority also owes earlier prevention and relief duties to all eligible applicants, supported by personalised housing plans and a duty on other public bodies to refer those at risk. This page focuses on Part VII specifically; the full Housing Act 1996 entry covers allocation (Part VI) and tenancy provisions.
Key Points
- Defines homelessness and threatened homelessness
- Establishes priority need categories
- Main housing duty for unintentionally homeless persons in priority need
- Amended by Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2017 — Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Extended duties to prevent and relieve homelessness.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of Part VII of the Housing Act 1996?
- Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 is the statutory safety net for homelessness in England. It sets out the duties local housing authorities owe to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. These duties include making inquiries into eligibility, providing interim accommodation where appropriate, and securing suitable accommodation for eligible applicants who are in priority need and not intentionally homeless.
- How does the Act define who is homeless or in priority need?
- Section 175 of the Act defines when a person is considered homeless or threatened with homelessness. Section 189 establishes the categories of persons who have priority need for accommodation. These categories include individuals with dependent children and those classified as vulnerable persons. These definitions are central to determining the level of assistance a local authority must provide.
- How did the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 change these rules?
- The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 amended Part VII to extend the duties of local housing authorities. Authorities now owe earlier prevention and relief duties to all eligible applicants, not just those in priority need. These duties are supported by the requirement to create personalised housing plans and a duty on other public bodies to refer individuals at risk of homelessness.