Proposed Intentional Homelessness Legislative Competence Order

Peter Black

Pre-ballot Information: Outline Proposed Legislative Competence Order

Outline of proposed Order

To insert in Field 11 of Schedule 5 the following matter:

“Homelessness, provisions relating to and in connection with homelessness”.

Pre-ballot Information: Explanatory Memorandum

Policy Objectives of the Proposed Order

This is in order to change the duty of a local authority to investigate whether a household is intentionally homeless to a power, but that when a household is found intentionally homeless under this power applicants must also be provided with accommodation and support for up to a year in order to try and resolve the reasons for the intentional homelessness.

The purpose of this is to ensure that intentional homelessness is only investigated when there is a clear possibility that those under investigation have acted in a way that is wilfully neglectful and that their behaviour is the true cause of their homelessness. This policy would also ensure that intentional homelessness is no longer the way many fall through the net and into poor quality temporary housing and homelessness, but instead it becomes an additional constructive aspect of preventing homelessness. The policy would also eliminate any possibility of local authorities using intentional homelessness as a method for abdicating responsibility for those who need the most support, instead individuals will be given support and an opportunity to change the behaviour at the root of the problem.

The Assembly requires legislative competence in this area as we have already begun to develop our own distinct approach to homelessness, including the production of a National Homelessness Strategy, as part of a range of measures designed to tackle the problem. This LCO will allow for the natural progression of the Assembly’s policy making within this area and allow us to fully develop our distinctive homelessness policies.

Support received

Shelter Cymru

Consultation

‘Clear Intentions’, produced by Shelter Cymru