Three reasons why homelessness law in Wales must change

Later this month, politicians at the Senedd will publish a report setting out their views on plans for a new homelessness law in Wales. As politicians take the first steps in deciding whether these plans should move to the next stage in their journey to becoming law, Crisis is calling on them to make sure that it does.

Everyone has the right to a safe and stable home yet figures recently released by the Welsh Government show that last year alone, 13,287 people who were experiencing homelessness sought help from their council.

We can’t afford to go on like this.

Bold change is urgently needed. That’s why Crisis has been calling for changes to the law on homelessness in Wales.

Now, a new draft law – the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation Wales Bill – reflects many of the key changes we’ve been calling for. If passed, it could bring in essential changes.

Here’s three reasons why the law must change.

1. Getting help earlier prevents homelessness from happening in the first place

In many cases, homelessness can build, slowly, over months. Often, there are warning signs: rent arrears, health issues, unsafe housing, family breakdown. And yet, all too often, the system waits – by the time help arrives, people are days away from losing their home, left feeling anxious and isolated when they may already be in financial or emotional turmoil.

Under the current law, people can get help from their council if they’re facing homelessness within 56 days, the new law could extend this to 6 months.

2. Solving homelessness is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about people

The current homelessness law in Wales can often lock people out of support. People can find themselves shut out of the support because they don’t fall into a particular category, struggle to navigate the system, or because systems are not trauma-informed.

We need to ensure people experiencing homelessness get the support they need.

We also need a system that recognises the triggers and effects of homelessness often extend beyond housing. For example, health challenges can be both a cause and effect of homelessness. Stronger support across our public services will prevent people from being pushed into homelessness in the first place and better support people to build a life beyond homelessness.

3. Homelessness is ended when homes aren’t just given, but kept

For many people who have experienced homelessness, the journey to rebuild continues after getting the keys to home. Once inside, managing a new home can be hard – especially if you’re facing past trauma, or you don’t have a good support network.

If passed, the new law would mean people who have complex support needs can be offered further support after receiving the keys to their new home.

Let’s put Wales on a better path

Last week, we celebrated as a new law was passed in Scotland on preventing homelessness. If given the seal of approval – the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocations Bill is a chance for Wales to also be a nation leader on its journey to ending homelessness.

Here at Crisis, we’ll be following the details as this new law takes shape and calling for these key changes to go ahead. You can sign up to our campaigns network to stay posted and help us make this a reality.

Together, we can improve support for people at risk of or facing homelessness in Wales.