another consecutively following the ending of a prevention duty by one Council? Q: Could a at the prevention duty stage where an ‘post code’ lottery potentially occur applicant chooses to apply to whichever local authority has, or is seen as providing, the best prevention help package? Q: Will applications for prisoners within 56 days of release be owed the prevention duty or the relief duty? QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE PREVENTION AND RELIEF OF Page 23 HOMELESSNESS DUTIES AND APPLYING THEM Q: Given the resource implications on a local authority of providing prevention help regardless of local connection, can the to prevent homeless be ‘reasonable steps’ met by providing less help for those without a local connection than for those with a local connection? Q: If when under a prevention and relief duty provide less help for you can’t expressly those without a local connection than those with a local connection is there a risk of challenge if the authority is not able to: include in the personalized plan access to the housing register as a reasonable step, or consider a single person for supported housing in both examples because of other criteria/rules that restrict access to the register or supported housing for those without a local connection? Q: Where an applicant does not have a local connection can an authority perform the prevention or relief duties by including Reasonable steps to help the applicant retain or obtain accommodation in the area where they do have a local connection (as long as there is no risk of living in that area)? Q: Why is there a need to properly make enquiries into whether an applicant is homeless or threatened with homelessness before accepting a prevention or relief duty? it just easier and faster to just concede these tests and get on with taking Isn’t action under a prevention or relief duty? Q: What happens if a prevention duty has been accepted and the person is still threatened with homelessness at the end of 56 days? Q: Must the prevention duty always run for 56 days if an of applicant’s threat homelessness is not resolved, or they do not refuse accommodation, or withdraw their application?
another consecutively following the ending of a prevention duty by one Council? Q: Could a ‘post code’ lottery potentially occur at the prevention duty stage where an applicant chooses to apply to whichever local authority has, or is seen as providing, the best prevention help package? Q: Will applications for prisoners within 56 days of release be owed the prevention duty or the relief duty? QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE PREVENTION AND RELIEF OF HOMELESSNESS DUTIES AND APPLYING THEM Page 23 Q: Given the resource implications on a local authority of providing prevention help regardless of local connection, can the ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent homeless be met by providing less help for those without a local connection than for those with a local connection? Q: If when under a prevention and relief duty you can’t expressly provide less help for those without a local connection than those with a local connection is there a risk of challenge if the authority is not able to: include in the personalized plan access to the housing register as a reasonable step, or consider a single person for supported housing in both examples because of other criteria/rules that restrict access to the register or supported housing for those without a local connection? Q: Where an applicant does not have a local connection can an authority perform the prevention or relief duties by including Reasonable steps to help the applicant retain or obtain accommodation in the area where they do have a local connection (as long as there is no risk of living in that area)? Q: Why is there a need to properly make enquiries into whether an applicant is homeless or threatened with homelessness before accepting a prevention or relief duty? Isn’t it just easier and faster to just concede these tests and get on with taking action under a prevention or relief duty? Q: What happens if a prevention duty has been accepted and the person is still threatened with homelessness at the end of 56 days? Q: Must the prevention duty always run for 56 days if an applicant’s threat of homelessness is not resolved, or they do not refuse accommodation, or withdraw their application?