HOMELESSNESS – A LEGAL DEFINITION

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 is Wales’s own homelessness legislation. The Act gives us a definition of homelessness that recognises the breadth of ways that a person can experience homelessness. Hover over the three numbers below to read more about the three categories of homelessness as defined by the Act.

NO ACCOMMODATION

No accommodation anywhere in the world, which they are entitled or permitted to occupy.

CAN'T GAIN ENTRY

  • Illegal eviction
  • Property squatted
  • Mobile home (caravan or boat) but nowhere to place it

UNREASONABLE TO REMAIN

Unreasonable to remain because of abuse or threat of abuse which is likely to be carried out OR for another special reason.

THREATENED WITH HOMELESSNESS:

A person is threatened with homelessness if it is likely that the person will become homeless within 56 days (section 55(4) of HWA 2014).

Listen to the audio for this lesson below.