Changing the law on homelessness in Wales

Debbie Thomas, Head of Policy and Communications Wales, Crisis

15.05.2025

Hope for bold action to end homelessness in Wales is on the horizon.  Next week, the Welsh Government is due to set out its draft new law on Homelessness and Social Housing Allocations.

Our policy team in Wales is eagerly awaiting its publication, having worked closely with people who have experienced homelessness – as well as with the people and organisations who provide support – to inform the discussion around what the Welsh Government can do to make things better.

In announcing plans to publish a new draft law, the Welsh Government said it would be “the most radical change to homelessness provision anywhere in western Europe”. Here at Crisis, we sincerely hope this will be the case. Next week has the potential to be a pivotal moment, and an opportunity for Wales to lead the way.

The importance and timeliness of this new law cannot be overstated. We know that homelessness is rising more steeply in Wales than other parts of Britain. If we do nothing, things will get worse, and more people will face homelessness alongside all the trauma it brings.

Indeed, our latest Homelessness Monitor research for Wales predicts that homelessness could rise by 24% by 2041. We cannot let this happen. Bold action is needed.

A new law on homelessness is coming

The Welsh Government’s initial proposals for this law heavily reflected recommendations made by the Expert Review Panel on Ending Homelessness, which was co-ordinated by Crisis.

This panel included experts from across the sector - charities, academia, housing associations and local authorities. It reviewed research from across Wales and around the globe to consider how the law on homelessness could be improved. And, most crucially, the panel listened to the voices of more than 300 people with lived experience of homelessness.

The message to the panel was loud and clear: Our current law on homelessness is outdated. It locks people out of vital support and is slow to respond where people are at risk of losing their home. If we are to truly commit to the Welsh Government’s aim of making homelessness in Wales rare, brief and unrepeated, we must underline this commitment with fundamental changes to homelessness law.

What do we want to see in the new law?

Since publishing and consulting on its initial proposals, the Welsh Government has been revising its plans and drafting a law. Very few people (Welsh Government officials, Ministers and those on the Housing Committee at the Senedd) will know the exact contents of this draft law until it is published next week.

Here at Crisis, we are keeping everything crossed that it will continue to stay true to the ambitious vision of the Expert Review Panel, ushering in wide-ranging reforms. For example, we hope to see:

• An end to clauses that lock people out of support
• An emphasis on supporting people early when they are at risk of homelessness
• New duties to ensure wider public services work together to help prevent homelessness
• New powers to improve access to social homes for people experiencing homelessness
• Support to help people stay in their homes.

What happens after next week?

Changing the law takes a long time! Nothing is set in stone when a draft law is published – they are often redrafted and amended as they go through rigorous scrutiny across the Senedd. And, sometimes, politicians vote against new laws and they are binned.

At Crisis we will be working hard to analyse and influence the draft law, ensuring that it is as good as it can be and that key measures to help end homelessness are given the seal of approval to become law.

Crisis needs you!

Influencing a new law is a lot of work and we cannot do it alone. We’ll be working closely with our members and experts by experience to ensure their voice continues to be heard in these crucial reforms.

And we will be calling on our supporters to help us shout out about the need for change along the way. Please register to receive updates from us.

Together we can end homelessness.

Diolch.