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England

Preventing Homelessness

By: Deborah Garvie
Published: June 2016

Preventing Homelessness: Why a strategic approach and early intervention can stop people losing their homes

Homelessness is not inevitable – it can and should be prevented. Local authorities already have a general legal duty prevent homelessness. However, in practice legislation has embedded a welcome – but limited – safety net, generally offering assistance only when a crisis is imminent and where people are in 'priority need'. We must move away from a crisis-driven approach to prevention to a more strategic and targeted approach.