My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
I understand some local authorities use the social housing application form as a tool to assist them reach an opinion on the applicant’s ability to provide accommodation from their own resources. Notwithstanding this, it remains the case that households need not be eligible for social housing to access homeless supports and homeless households can be provided with temporary emergency accommodation without undergoing a social housing assessment. This ensures local authorities can respond effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
Guidelines for housing authorities in regard to the accommodation needs of homeless persons, including the assessment of whether a person is to be regarded as homeless, were issued following the commencement of the Housing Act 1988.
