Help the single homeless

5th June 2025 By admin Leave a Comment

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 is one of the most important pieces of housing legislation in England. It places new legal duties on councils to help anyone at risk of homelessness, not just those already sleeping rough or without a home.

Before this Act, many people were told they didn’t qualify for help until they were already homeless. Now, local authorities must step in earlier to prevent homelessness before it happens.

Key Duties Under the Act

Prevention Duty
Councils must help anyone who is at risk of losing their home within 56 days. This could mean helping a tenant negotiate with a landlord, find alternative housing, or access financial support.
Relief Duty
If someone is already homeless, councils must take reasonable steps to help them secure suitable accommodation, regardless of their priority need or local connection.
Personalised Housing Plan (PHP)
Each applicant should receive a tailored plan setting out practical actions—both from the council and the applicant—to resolve their housing situation.
Main Housing Duty
If homelessness is not resolved under the first two stages, the council must decide whether it owes a long-term duty to provide housing under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

Why It Matters

The Act was designed to make councils more proactive and empower individuals with clearer guidance, documentation, and legal rights.
It also encourages stronger cooperation between councils, landlords, and support services to reduce the cycle of temporary accommodation and repeated homelessness.

How New Dawn Foundation Helps

At New Dawn Foundation, we believe that awareness is the first step toward prevention.
We provide information, guidance, and advocacy to help individuals understand their rights and get the support they deserve under housing law.

📩 Need Support?
If you or someone you know is facing homelessness, contact your local council’s housing department immediately, or reach out to our team for signposting and advice.

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