Introduction to Homelessness Legislation:
Workshop
This workshop will give you a comprehensive introduction to homelessness legislation.
By the end of this workshop, you will have a comprehensive knowledge of homelessness law (Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011), enabling you to deal with homelessness applications and provide accurate advice and support to people in housing need.
You will also learn about the changes introduced under the new Homelessness Reduction Act, from April 2017.
The Agenda:
Introduction to Homelessness Legislation
- The current legislation in context
- A history of homelessness legislation
- Government policy on homelessness prevention
- Duties of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
- Stages of a homeless application, including:
- When an application must be taken
- The duty to carry out inquiries
- Interim housing duties while inquiries are carried out
- Requirements for written notification
- Rights of review and appeal against decisions
- The role of the Homelessness Code of Guidance
- Case law in homelessness decision making
- The five tests of the Act to determine if duty is owed to an applicant
- Duties that are owed depending upon the five tests
- Events that bring an end to the full housing duty
