Homeless Legislation
Homelessness in England and Wales is governed by the 1977 Housing (Homeless Persons) Act and the 2002 Homelessness Act. In Wales, the Homeless Persons (Priority Need) order of 2001 introduced new priority need categories largely in line with the 2002 Homelessness Act.
The Hidden Homeless
Many homeless people do not approach their local authority for help because they know they do not fall into one of the priority need categories and so are unlikely to be re-housed. The charity Crisis estimates that there are up to 400,000 hidden homeless people in England – these are single people who live in crowded accommodation, squats and hostels as well as those sleeping on friends’ floors and sofas. People in this group do not show up in official figures.
Further information on the homelessness problem in a particular area can be found in the figures published by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister.
Who is homeless?
Welsh Assembly Government figures show that of those accepted in 2004 by local authorities in Wales for rehousing:
Homelessness happens in towns and rural areas all across the country. Swansea had the greatest number of homeless people in 2004 but there were also high numbers recorded in Rhondda, Cynon, Taff, Brigend and Carmarthenshire. Homelessness in rural areas can be more of a problem than in towns as the lack of affordable housing and available transport cuts down people’s housing options.
Reasons for Homelessness
Welsh Assembly Government figures show that the three main factors that cause people to be homeless are:
The Hidden Homeless
Many homeless people do not approach their local authority for help because they know they do not fall into one of the priority need categories and so are unlikely to be re-housed. The charity Crisis estimates that there are up to 400,000 hidden homeless people in England – these are single people who live in crowded accommodation, squats and hostels as well as those sleeping on friends’ floors and sofas. People in this group do not show up in official figures.
Further information on the homelessness problem in a particular area can be found in the figures published by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister.
Who is homeless?
Welsh Assembly Government figures show that of those accepted in 2004 by local authorities in Wales for rehousing:
- 1,186 (12%) were young people aged 16 and 17 and care leavers under 21
- 689 (7%) were classed as vulnerable due to mental illness
- 1,308 (13%) were vulnerable as a result of domestic violence
- 435 (4%) were vulnerable due to physical disability
- 386 (4%) were vulnerable due to old age
- 8% were vulnerable for other reasons such as time spent in care, in custody, in the forces and from fleeing violence other than domestic violence.
- 4,771 households (48% of the total) were families with children or where the mother was pregnant
Homelessness happens in towns and rural areas all across the country. Swansea had the greatest number of homeless people in 2004 but there were also high numbers recorded in Rhondda, Cynon, Taff, Brigend and Carmarthenshire. Homelessness in rural areas can be more of a problem than in towns as the lack of affordable housing and available transport cuts down people’s housing options.
Reasons for Homelessness
Welsh Assembly Government figures show that the three main factors that cause people to be homeless are:
- Relatives or friends no longer being willing or able to provide accommodation (30% of homeless people)
- The end of a tenancy or loss of rented accommodation (34% of homeless people)
- Breakdown of relationship with partner (26% of homeless people, of which 18% suffer from domestic violence).
These results vary little from council to council. Policies focussed on the prevention of homelessness must tackle these problems.