This Order brings into force various provisions of the Homelessness Act 2002 in relation to England.

Article 2, which comes into force on 5th December 2002, gives the Secretary of State power to make regulations under a new section 160A of the housing Act 1996 (allocation only to eligible persons).

The following provisions specified in article 3, which come into force on 31 January 2002, primarily relate to the allocation of housing accommodation under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52):

• section 13 (application of Part 6 to existing tenants);

• section 14 (abolition of duty to maintain housing register);

• section 15 (application for housing accommodation);

• section 16 (allocation schemes);

• section 18 (minor and consequential amendments).