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The government instructions on priority need homeless, I'll draw your attention to section 8.3 a.
Guidance on the categories of applicant who have a priority need for accommodation if they become homeless.
8.1 This chapter provides guidance on the categories of applicant who have a priority need for accommodation under the homelessness legislation.
8.2 Housing authorities have duties to try and prevent or relieve homelessness for all applicants who are eligible for assistance and are homeless or threatened with homelessness, irrespective of whether or not they may have a priority need for accommodation. If a housing authority is unable to prevent an applicant from becoming homeless, or to help them to secure accommodation within the ‘relief’ stage, they are required to reach a decision as to whether the applicant has a priority need for accommodation.
8.3 Section 188(1) of the 1996 Act requires housing authorities to secure that accommodation is available for an applicant if they have reason to believe that the applicant may be homeless, eligible for assistance and have a priority need. The housing authority may bring this ‘interim’ accommodation duty to an end during the relief stage if they subsequently find that the applicant does not have priority need (or are not eligible or not homeless) and issues a decision that the applicant will not be owed further duties at the end of the relief duty. For further guidance on accommodation duties see Chapter 15. Section 193(2) of the 1996 Act requires housing authorities to secure accommodation for applicants who have a priority need for accommodation section 189(1) and the Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England) Order 2002 (the ‘2002 Order’) provide that the following categories of applicant have a priority need for accommodation:
(a) a pregnant woman or a person with whom she resides or might reasonably be expected to reside (see paragraph 8.5);
(b) a person with whom dependent children reside or might reasonably be expected to reside (see paragraphs 8.6–8.12);
(c) a person who is vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness, learning disability or physical disability or other special reason, or with whom such a person resides or might reasonably be expected to reside (see paragraphs 8.13–8.18);
(d) a person aged 16 or 17 who is not a ‘relevant child’ or a child in need to whom a local authority owes a duty under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 (see paragraphs 8.19–8.23);
(e) a person under 21 who was (but is no longer) looked after, accommodated or fostered between the ages of 16 and 18 (except a person who is a ‘relevant student’);
(f) a person aged 21 or more who is vulnerable as a result of having been looked after, accommodated or fostered (except a person who is a ‘relevant student’) (see paragraphs 8.28–8.31);
(g) a person who is vulnerable as a result of having been a member of Her Majesty’s regular naval, military or air forces (see paragraphs 8.32–8.33);
(h) a person who is vulnerable as a result of:
(i) having served a custodial sentence;
(ii) having been committed for contempt of court or any other kindred offence; or,
(iii) having been remanded in custody;(see paragraphs 8.34–8.35);
(i) a person who is vulnerable as a result of ceasing to occupy accommodation because of violence from another person or threats of violence from another person which are likely to be carried out (see paragraphs 8.36–8.37);
(j) a person who is homeless, or threatened with homelessness, as a result of an emergency such as flood, fire or other disaster.