The Housing (Wales) Act 2014
The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 has introduced a fundamental reform to homelessness legislation.
This is an inclusive system designed to help everyone at risk rather than just those in priority groups:
- a duty to help anyone threatened with homelessness within the next 56 days
- a duty to provide help to any homeless person to help them secure a home
- a power rather than a duty to apply the intentionality test
- powers for Local authorities to discharge their homelessness duties through finding accommodation in the private rented sector
- stronger duties on Housing Associations to support Local authorities in carrying out their homelessness duties
The purpose of the legislation is to achieve:
- fewer households experiencing the trauma of homelessness
- better, more targeted, prevention work
- increased help, advice and information for households who receive limited assistance under the current legislation
- more focus on the service user, helping them to address the causes of homelessness and make informed decisions on finding solutions to their housing problem
- more effective use of the private rented sector as a solution to homelessness
- stronger emphasis on co-operation and multi-agency working
- greater protection provided for children in households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness as well as additional help for children leaving care.
For more information on the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, please visit the legislation website (external website).
How to get help
To get help and advice, and to talk through your options, you can:
Help yourself with our homeless prevention guide.
Out of hours
If you become homeless outside working hours, and you have nowhere safe to sleep you can call our out of hours service on 0300 123 30 68.