Homeless Reduction Act 2017 (HRA)
In 2017, parliament passed the HRA. This is changing how we help people or households who are or may become homeless.
The new law focuses on preventing homelessness happening in the first place, and reduces the need for people to go into emergency or temporary accommodation. It also aims to deliver better outcomes for single homeless people.
What this means for you
From 3 April 2018, any person or household who asks us for help if they are homeless or are at risk of being homeless receives support under the new rules. This means that:
- you can ask us for help up to 56 days before you think you might become homeless
- if you're facing homelessness, we'll work with you to develop a personal housing plan - this plan sets out the steps that will help to prevent you losing your home, or to help you find another home
- we'll support you to prevent your homelessness or help you find another home
- we'll keep your circumstances under review, however if you do not work with us we can decide that we cannot help you further
- you'll have the right to request a review of how we have tried to help
We must support you to resolve your homelessness, but this does not mean that we'll will accommodate you. If we're unable to stop you becoming homeless we'll assist you to find an alternative home.
If we're unable to do so and you remain homeless then those in priority need have a right to be rehoused, which is likely to be in temporary accommodation. Non-priority households will not be entitled to further help.
Helpful guidance explaining these changes can be found here:
HRA overview - GOV.UK
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Can you help?
Everyone is entitled to housing advice and information about homelessness, and preventing homelessness. This is available free of charge to everyone in Luton.
Our advice will include information on:
- preventing homelessness
- securing accommodation if homeless
- the rights of people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness
- any help that is available for people who are homeless or likely to become homeless, as well as how to access that help
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Am I eligible?
If you need further help, then we’ll need to decide if you’re eligible. We’ll need to look at:
- what your immigration status is
- if you’re normally resident in the UK
If you're ‘not eligible’ you'll be given advice about how you can find other accommodation. We’ll put you in contact with other organisations that may be able to help you.
If you have dependent or vulnerable family members, we're likely to refer you to social services who will assess your needs more closely.
Helpful guidance is available here:
Visas and immigration - GOV.UK
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Assessments and personalised housing plans
If you're eligible we'll carry out an assessment of your circumstances if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days.
This will identify what has caused your homelessness or threat of homelessness. We'll assess what your housing needs are and any support needs you may have, in order to be able to secure and retain accommodation.
We'll work with you to develop a personalised housing plan which will include the actions (or ‘reasonable steps’) to be taken by us and by you to try to prevent or relieve your homelessness.
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Our duties to you
Duty to refer
The Homeless Reduction Act 2017 introduced a new requirement on certain named public bodies to notify the council of services users who they think are homeless or threatened with becoming homeless within 56 days, to a local authority of the service users choice.
Read duty to refer guidance
Prevention duty
’We will take reasonable steps to help you if you are threatened with homelessness. We’ll do everything that we can to help you to remain in your current home (if it is safe to do so). If we’re unable to keep you in your home we’ll try to help you to secure an alternative.
The prevention duty usually continues for 56 days unless it’s brought to an end by an event such as accommodation being secured for you, or by you becoming homeless.
Relief duty
If you're already homeless, or become homeless despite steps taken during the prevention stage, we'll focus on continuing to help you to secure accommodation. This relief duty lasts for 56 days unless it is ended in another way.
If we have reason to believe you may be eligible for assistance and have a priority need we'll provide you with interim accommodation while we continue to work with you to find a new home.
Main housing duty
If homelessness is not successfully prevented or relieved, we'll owe you what is called the main housing duty if you're:
- still eligible
- have a priority need for accommodation
- not homeless intentionally
Under the main housing duty, we must ensure that suitable accommodation is available for you and your household until the duty is brought to an end. This can be ended in several ways such as an offer of suitable accommodation in the private sector.
The duty can also be brought to an end for other reasons, for example as a result of you turning down a suitable offer of temporary accommodation or because you are no longer eligible for assistance.
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Am I a priority?
You’re considered to be in priority need if:
- you have dependent children living with you or who might reasonably be expected to live with you
- someone you live with is pregnant
- are vulnerable as a result of old age
- have a mental illness or physical disability or other special reason, or someone who lives with you, or would normally live with you is vulnerable for these reasons
- are 16 or 17 years of age
- are homeless as a result of flood, fire or other disaster
- are aged 18 to 20 and leaving care
- are vulnerable as a result of leaving prison or the armed services
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Investigation in to why you’re homeless
Open this tab to find out more about the investigation we carry out to find out why you’re homeless.
Intentionality
Before we decide how we can help, we need to see if you've made yourself intentionally homelessness. We’ll look at:
- the cause and circumstances surrounding your homelessness
- whether you are homeless through no fault of your own
If you lost your home through something you did, or failed to do as ‘a deliberate act’ which you knew would make you homeless, then you may be found ‘intentionally homeless’.
If you're found to be intentionally homeless we won't offer a longer term home and may refer you to social services for them to:
- carry out an assessment of your family’s needs
- see whether they can help you
Local connection
We’ll decide if you have a local connection to Luton. If you do have a local connection with us after deciding if you:
- are homeless
- you meet immigration and residence conditions
What is a local connection?
To decide if you have a local connection, we'll look at whether you (or anyone in your household):
- live or have lived in the area for six out of the last 12 months, or three out of the last five years - you must have chosen to live in the area and being in prison or in a hospital does not count
- have family in the area - your close family must have lived in the area for at least five years, and you must want to live near them (close family is normally limited to parents, children, brothers or sisters)
- work in the area - full or part time but casual work does not count
- have a special reason to be in the area, which could be that you need to live in the area to receive specialist health care not available elsewhere
- were in care in the area - applies to homeless applications made on after 3 April 2018 only
You have a local connection with a council:
- that owes you leaving care duties
- where you were in care for two continuous years before your 18th birthday, some of which was before you turned 16
A local connection because of being in care will last until your 21st birthday, or sometimes until you finish your education.
If you have a local connection with Luton, we must help you. If you don’t have a local connection then we are likely to refer you to another council where you do have a connection if safe to do so.
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Temporary accommodation
While we look in more detail at your homeless application, we may provide you with temporary accommodation.
But we don’t own many empty houses or flats, so it’s much more likely that you’ll go to another type of property for a time.
More about temporary accommodation
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I’m not happy with the decision you've made
If you don't think the decision we've made about your situation or the housing accommodation you've been offered is correct, you can ask us to review that decision. Expand this tab to find out how.
You can ask for a review if you disagree with the council's decision about your homeless application. This includes any decision that says you:
- aren't eligible for assistance
- aren't homeless or threatened with homelessness
- don't have a priority need
- have made yourself homeless intentionally
- don't have a local connection and should be referred to another council
You can also ask for a review if you disagree on:
- the steps the council will need to take in order to prevent or relieve your homelessness
- the ending of the prevention or relief duty
- the notification that states you have deliberately and unreasonably refused to cooperate with us
- a referral we have made to another local authority area on local connection grounds, including the referral of the relief duty
You may ask for a review if you feel you have been offered unsuitable accommodation. This applies to:
- temporary accommodation offered or provided to you after your homeless application was accepted by the council
- a settled housing offer made by the council
You can ask for a review of suitability whether you have accepted the offer or not. If you don't have anywhere else to stay it may be better to accept an offer of unsuitable housing because:
- there's no guarantee that you will be offered something more suitable
- you'll have somewhere to stay while the council reviews its decision
- you'll have somewhere to stay if your review is unsuccessful
It can be difficult to challenge the suitability of emergency accommodation provided to you while the council looks into your situation. This can only be done by going to court.
Get advice before turning down any offer we've made you. We may not help you further.
You can't ask the council to review a decision it has already reviewed.
How to request a review
You have to ask for a review within 21 days of getting the written decision letter. The 21 days starts from the date that you receive the letter.
You can request a review verbally or in writing.
A request for a review can be made by another person on your behalf (put in Review Manager and address).
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Target groups and advice
We have a responsibility to help particular types of people including:
- those who are leaving prison
- ex-armed forces personnel
- those who are being discharged from hospital
- care leavers
- people suffering from mental health
- anyone suffering from domestic abuse
Expand this tabs below to find out how we can help people from these groups.
Leaving prison
If you’re leaving prison and are homeless or threatened with homelessness, then you may want to seek advice and support from our Housing Solutions service - contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.
How we can help
We’ll help to identify your support needs and work with you to relieve your homelessness by developing a personal housing plan. This will identify actions that need to be carried out by yourself and us. It may include:
- engaging with organisations that help ex-offenders
- looking for suitable private rented accommodation
What to bring to your housing appointment
We’ll need to determine if you’re eligible for assistance. If you’re offered an appointment you must bring with you:
- valid passport
- full birth certificate
- valid immigration documents (if applicable)
Also, you will need to provide a risk assessment from your probation officer if you have one.
Ex-armed forces personnel
If you're a former member of the armed forces who is now homeless, or if you're planning to leave the armed forces and facing the threat of becoming homeless, you may wish to approach the Housing Solutions service for assistance and advice. Contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.
If you approach us for assistance, we'll consider:
- how long you were in the armed forces and what role you had
- whether you spent any time in a military hospital
- if you've been issued a medical history release form and released from service on medical grounds
- how long it's been since you left the armed services
- whether you've been able to find and maintain your own accommodation since leaving the armed forces
- your existing support networks
Housing register applications
If you make a housing register application you may qualify under the armed forces local residence exceptions.
Hospital discharge
If you're homeless or threatened with homelessness and are due to be discharged from hospital soon, it's important that you inform hospital staff immediately. They'll be able to arrange for appropriate support.
An assessment will take place in order to determine whether you:
- are genuinely homeless
- have a priority need for rehousing consideration
- are otherwise significantly more vulnerable than an average person
- locally connected to Luton
We're able to give housing advice and provide you with the best suited 'personal housing plan' to prevent or relieve your homelessness. We'll:
- identify whether there is anywhere for you to return to or negotiate for your return if possible
- work with you to obtain settled housing
- discuss your options for housing and work with you to prevent homelessness
- work with a range of other agencies to assess whether you are likely to need help living independently - this may include the involvement on an occupational therapist to determine your housing needs
If hostel, refuge or other forms of temporary accommodation are required, we'll identify the most suitable options and search for availability.
Care leavers
If you're a care leaver with a local connection to Luton, you may be able to get help with housing, although this will be dependent on your age and circumstances.
The vast majority of care leavers in Luton should not need to approach a homeless service as this will be prevented by a planned move to independence with your personal advisor from the Leaving Care team.
You may be offered short term supported housing to gain the skills to live independently and then be moved on into independent accommodation.
In some cases, if your personal advisor believes that you already have the skills to manage your own home, we may help you to move into your own independent accommodation.
However there are circumstances in which you may not meet all of the criteria.
Mental health
Mental ill-health can affect anyone, and people threatened with homelessness or sleeping rough face adverse weather conditions, fear and isolation. All of these can contribute to decreased mental health
We work with other relevant statutory and non-statutory service providers to take reasonable steps to prevent your homelessness and provide you with meaningful support.
There are several local organisations and mental health service that can help.
Mental health services on Luton Directory
Domestic abuse
If you’re suffering from domestic abuse, there is help available. We’ll give you advice on what to do if you are unable to stay in your home because of domestic abuse. Contact the Housing Solutions team - details at the bottom of the page.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse includes any incident of violence, threatening or controlling behaviour. The abuse can be psychological, physical, social, financial, or emotional. Domestic abuse can happen between two people who are or were intimate partners or family members, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
If you’re in fear of a partner, ex-partner or member of your family, you might be experiencing domestic abuse.
What help is available?
If you’re a woman you can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
If you’re a man experiencing domestic abuse you can contact the Men's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.
If you're in a same-sex relationship you can call the National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline (GALOP) on 0800 999 5428.
- Police (emergency): 999
- Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90
- Childline: 0800 1111
All these services offer you the opportunity to talk confidentially to someone about your situation and find out what your options are. There's a wide range of support available including:
- advocacy
- safety planning
- peer support
- safety measures in the home
- children’s therapeutic interventions
They also offer a programme for perpetrators of domestic abuse who want help in changing their behaviour.
You can apply to Luton for assistance to remain safely in your home. These include options like:
- carrying out safety work such as:
- new locks
- fire proof letter boxes
- personal alarm system
- looking at what legal action you can take against the perpetrator such as injunctions or other orders to keep them away
If it's not safe for you to remain in your home we'll give you advice and assistance to find somewhere else to live, and in some cases you may be entitled to emergency accommodation.
You may be asked for supporting evidence, which could include details and dates of incidents. You can bring a friend or an adviser with you for support.
You're strongly advised not to give up your home permanently until you've spoken to an adviser and considered all your options.
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Rough sleeping initiative
The national rough sleeping strategy 2018 sets out the ambition to end rough sleeping by 2027. Open this tab to find out how we've introduced a rough sleeping initiative (RSI) in Luton.
Areas that reported a high number of people sleeping rough in 2017 were awarded funding for new initiatives in order to support people off the streets and into accommodation.
Number of individuals sleeping rough on an average night in Luton (independently verified by Homeless Link):
- 2014 - 30
- 2015 - 53
- 2016 - 76
- 2017 - 87
- 2018 - 47
The RSI launched in Luton in 2018 and includes additional:
- outreach workers
- specialist mental health specialists
- alcohol and drug specialists
- accommodation for people with no recourse to public funds
- reconnection
- move-on accommodation
It also funded 30 additional bed spaces over the winter from January to March 2019. These initiatives are funded until March 2020.
Since its launch, rough sleeping numbers in Luton have significantly reduced but many people are not able to accept the help, accommodation or solutions that are on offer for a variety of reasons
Partners across the town continue to work together to develop and offer new housing, support and bespoke solutions for those who those who are sleeping rough who refuse hostel accommodation and do not meet social housing criteria.
A high proportion of the individuals rough sleeping in Luton are not entitled to benefits so are not able to claim the housing benefit required to use hostel accommodation.
These individuals are offered reconnection to their home country or support to access ESOL courses, training and volunteering which can bring success in their search for work.
What is rough sleeping?
Rough sleeping refers to people who are street homeless with no access to accommodation and is defined as:
People sleeping, or about to bed down on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments. People in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as stairwells, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict buildings).
What should I do when I find someone rough sleeping?
If you find someone sleeping rough, you can report it via:
- the national service website StreetLink
- phone - call StreetLink on their 24/7 number 0300 500 0914
- through the StreetLink app, available on both android and Apple
If you ever see a person rough sleeping or about to bed down, please make note of any details you can and report to StreetLink. Include details such as:
- their location
- buildings nearby
- clothes they're wearing
StreetLink pass on all referrals to the Luton's Street Outreach team who will respond the same or next day.
The outreach teams follow up on all referrals and will keep going to a location until they are able to make positive contact with the person who is sleeping rough. This may take many visits as individuals do not always want to talk.
Outreach Staff from NOAH and Signposts can be seen in and about the town on a daily basis. Everyone is referred to the NOAH day centre for food and warmth - no one has to go hungry. Anyone can refer to the NOAH day centre at 41 Park Street.
Those who are able to claim housing benefit are offered hostel accommodation immediately. If this is refused then the Outreach team will work with the individual and partners to try to find alternative housing solutions. The team will continue to offer solutions to individuals who are sleeping rough in Luton until a suitable option is found.
Sometimes a person will move into accommodation but return to sleeping rough for a number of different reasons. Outreach staff work with everyone who is sleeping rough no matter what their circumstances and will offer different options.
Those who are not able to claim housing benefit are encouraged to attend the NOAH day centre as they have a range of support options that help to find work and private accommodation.
Severe weather provision
We have the option to provide temporary accommodation to rough sleepers when very cold weather is forecast, at less than 0 degrees for three days, for the duration of the bad weather.
When this type of weather occurs and it is accepted that the person has nowhere to go, then temporary accommodation will be offered alongside advice for a limited period only.
What about those that are on the street but may not be rough sleeping?
Some people who appear to be sleeping rough may be engaged in street activities, such as drinking or begging, but in fact have somewhere to stay. They may need a different type of response from local services, and this may mean that you do not see a change straight away.
Outreach Services offer support to all individuals on street regardless of their housing situation.
This doesn't mean your alert to StreetLink is wasted, it is always better to get in touch about someone you think may be rough sleeping, so that local services can provide support if needed.
The independent Luton Homelessness Partnership is currently in development and will offer opportunities for positive involvement to end rough sleeping in Luton. More information on this will be available here once the partnership is established.
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Useful links
Open this tab to find links to documents and websites that may be helpful in your situation.
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