New legislation introduced in the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 has helped prevent 70% of at risk households from becoming homelessness since April 2015, says CIH Cymru.
Data released by StatsWales this week shows that during the October to December quarter of 2015-16, 66% of 2,025 households that were threatened with homelessness within 56 days, were successfully prevented from becoming homeless for at least 6 months. When added to data from the previous two quarters the proportion successfully prevented from becoming homeless increases to 70%.
Julie Nicholas, policy and public affairs manager at CIH Cymru said:
‘This is very encouraging news for people who are at risk of losing their homes in Wales. A combination of factors has supported this result; Welsh Government was right to bring the new duty in, and local government should be commended for taking a progressive approach to its implementation.’
‘Prioritisation was rightly put on training council staff working in statutory homelessness services, supporting culture change and encouraging joint working with local support and advice agencies. This data shows that the new duty is working, and has helped to stop more than 3,400 households form becoming homeless.’
The data contrasts with figures from England showing rising levels of homeless acceptances and rough sleeping. Pressure is growing on ministers at Westminster to introduce a Welsh-style homelessness prevention duty.