Local authorities’ duties extended

Councils have new duties to house certain
categories of vulnerable people after the Homelessness Bill
received royal assent last week.

Under the legislation, local authorities are
now obligated to provide homes for 16 and 17-year-olds, and under
21-year-olds who have left care. People who are vulnerable because
of an institutionalised background, such as individuals released
from prison or who have left the armed forces, will also be
housed.

Within a year, councils will have to create
and publish an action plan to tackle and prevent homelessness in
their area. They will be expected to work with social services,
health, housing providers and the voluntary sector to implement
their strategy.