2. The following are specified as further descriptions of people to whom reasonable preference is to be given in the allocation scheme of a local housing authority—
(a)people owed a duty by that authority under section 193 or 195(2) of the Housing Act 1996 (“the 1996 Act”) or section 65(2) or 68(2) of the Housing Act 1985(1) (main housing duties owed to homeless persons),
(b)people in respect of whom that authority are exercising their power under section 194 of the 1996 Act (power to secure accommodation after minimum period of duty under section 193 of that Act), and
(c)people—
(i)who have within the previous two years been provided with advice and assistance by that authority under section 197(2) of the 1996 Act (duty where other suitable accommodation available) or
(ii)who are occupying accommodation secured with such advice and assistance.
The repeal of Part III of the Housing Act 1985, which includes sections 65 and 68, commenced by the Housing Act 1996 (Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provisions) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/2959 (C.88)) does not, by virtue of paragraph 1 of the Schedule to that Order, apply to applicants under Part III of that Act whose applications were made before 20th January 1997.