Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977

2 Priority need for accommodation

(1) For the purposes of this Act a homeless person or a person threatened with homelessness has a priority need for accommodation when the housing authority are satisfied that he is within one of the following categories:—

(a) he has dependent children who are residing with him or who might reasonably be expected to reside with him;

(b) he is homeless or threatened with homelessness as a result of any emergency such as flood, fire or any other disaster;

(c) he or any person who resides or might reasonably be expected to reside with him is vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness or handicap or physical disability or other special reason.

(2) For the purposes of this Act a homeless person or a person threatened with homelessness who is a pregnant woman or resides or might reasonably be expected to reside with a pregnant woman has a priority need for accommodation.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order, made after appropriate consultations,—

(a) specify further categories of persons as having a priority need for accommodation, and

(b) amend or repeal any part of subsection (1) or (2) above.

(4) No order under subsection (3) above shall be made unless a draft of the order has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(5) Any reference in this Act to a person having a priority need is a reference to his having a priority need for accommodation within the meaning of this section or any order for the time being in force under subsection (3) above.