Housing (Wales) Act 2014

52 Homelessness strategies

(1) A homelessness strategy under section 50 is a strategy for achieving the following objectives in the local housing authority’s area—

(a) the prevention of homelessness;

(b) that suitable accommodation is and will be available for people who are or may become homeless;

(c) that satisfactory support is available for people who are or may become homeless.

(2) A homelessness strategy may specify more detailed objectives to be pursued, and action planned to be taken, in the exercise of any functions of the authority (including functions other than its functions as local housing authority).

(3) A homelessness strategy may also include provision relating to specific action which the authority expects to be taken—

(a) by any public authority with functions which are capable of contributing to the achievement of any of the objectives mentioned in subsection (1), or

(b) by any voluntary organisation or other person whose activities are capable of contributing to the achievement of any of those objectives.

(4) The inclusion in a homelessness strategy of any provision relating to action mentioned in subsection (3) requires the approval of the body or person concerned.

(5) In formulating a homelessness strategy the authority must consider (among other things) the extent to which any of the objectives mentioned in subsection (1) can be achieved through action involving two or more of the bodies or other persons mentioned in subsections (2) and (3).

(6) A homelessness strategy must include provision relating to action planned by the authority to be taken in the exercise of its functions, and specific action expected by the authority to be taken by public authorities, voluntary organisations and other persons within subsection (3), in relation to those who may be in particular need of support if they are or may become homeless, including in particular—

(a) people leaving prison or youth detention accommodation,

(b) young people leaving care,

(c) people leaving the regular armed forces of the Crown,

(d) people leaving hospital after medical treatment for mental disorder as an inpatient, and

(e) people receiving mental health services in the community.

(7) A local housing authority must keep its homelessness strategy under review and may modify it.

(8) Before adopting or modifying a homelessness strategy a local housing authority must consult such public or local authorities, voluntary organisations or other persons as it considers appropriate.

(9) After adopting or modifying a homelessness strategy, a local housing authority must publish the strategy by—

(a) making a copy of the strategy available on its website (if it has one);

(b) making a copy of the strategy available at its principal office for inspection at all reasonable hours, without charge, by members of the public;

(c) providing (on payment if required by the authority of a reasonable charge) a copy of the strategy to any member of the public who asks for one.

(10) If the authority modifies its homelessness strategy, it may publish the modifications or the strategy as modified (as it considers most appropriate).

(11) Where the authority decides to publish only the modifications, the references to the homelessness strategy in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (9) are to be interpreted as references to the modifications.