Homeless Reduction Act
The Homelessness Reduction Act
On 3 April 2018 the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 came into force. The act puts a legal duty on Local Authorities to offer more support and provide free advice to all residents within the local area.
The Act will require a fundamental change to the way the council delivers homeless support and advice services and focuses on providing assistance earlier and the prevention of homelessness.
From 3 April, new legal duties mean the council must:
- provide advice and carry out prevention work, so that where possible, people can be supported to remain in their current home
- offer everyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness access to meaningful help, irrespective of their priority need status, as long as they are eligible for assistance and
- carry out prevention and relief work for anyone threatened with homelessness within 56 days
Personalised Housing Plans
The Homelessness Reduction Act requires the Housing Options Team to provide a Personalised Housing Plan. This plan will be agreed with yourself throughout the assessment process and an agreed list of actions will established which you and your officer will complete to prevent or relieve your homelessness. A Housing Advice letter will be given to you which will outline our assessment of your household, your circumstances and any support needs that you may have.
Helpful guidance explaining these changes can be found in Fact Sheets produced by the Government and in further detail in The Code of Guidance which provides a summary of the homelessness legislation and the duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
If you are homeless or think that you are going to become homeless you should contact us as soon as you can:
By Telephone: 01302 736000 Monday to Friday 08:30 - 17:00.
By Email: housingoptionsteam@doncaster.gov.uk
If you do not have access to a phone or email please visit us:
In Person: One Stop Shop at The Civic Building in Doncaster during opening hours Monday - Friday between 8.30am - 5pm
Emergencies: If you are homeless outside of these hours contact 01302 323444