Homelessness Act 2002

Housing Act 1996 (c. 52)

14 In section 195 (duties in case of threatened homelessness)—

(a) after subsection (3) there is inserted—

“(3A) The authority shall, on becoming subject to the duty under this section, give the applicant a copy of the statement included in their allocation scheme by virtue of section 167(1A) (policy on offering choice to people allocated housing accommodation under Part 6).”;

(b) in subsection (5), for the words from “furnish” to “circumstances” there is substituted “provide him with (or secure that he is provided with) advice and assistance”;

(c) after subsection (5) there is inserted—

“(6) The applicant’s housing needs shall be assessed before advice and assistance is provided under subsection (5).

(7) The advice and assistance provided under subsection (5) must include information about the likely availability in the authority’s district of types of accommodation appropriate to the applicant’s housing needs (including, in particular, the location and sources of such types of accommodation).”; and

(d) after subsection (7) (as inserted by paragraph (c) above) there is inserted—

“(8) If the authority decide that they owe the applicant the duty under subsection (5) by virtue of paragraph (b) of that subsection, they may, pending a decision on a review of that decision—

(a) secure that accommodation does not cease to be available for his occupation; and

(b) if he becomes homeless, secure that accommodation is so available.”