99.This section amends the 2014 Act to insert sections 76A and 76B into that Act. It also makes amendments to sections 79 and 84 of the 2014 Act.
100.Subsection (2) inserts sections 76A and 76B into the 2014 Act. Inserted section 76A(2) imposes a duty on local housing authorities to help an applicant to retain suitable accommodation in certain circumstances. This duty applies to applicants who are not currently homeless or threatened with homelessness but have suitable accommodation that was secured or retained with the help of the local housing authority under functions in Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2014 Act, and who are considered at risk of becoming homeless or threatened with homelessness unless they receive further assistance.
101.Subsections (3) and (4) of inserted section 76A confer a power on the local housing authority to continue assisting an applicant after the duty in subsection (2) of inserted section 76A has ended where the duty has come to an end in the circumstances set out in subsection (4) or (6) of section 76B of the 2014 Act.
102.Inserted section 76B sets out the circumstances in which the duty in inserted section 76A(2) comes to an end. The duty under section 76A(2) ends in the following circumstances, provided the applicant has been properly notified in accordance with section 84 of the 2014 Act:
103.Section 17(3) of the Act amends section 79(1) of the 2014 Act so that the circumstances set out in section 79 will apply to end the duty in inserted section 76A(2).
104.Section 17(4) of the Act amends section 84(1) so that the notice requirements in section 84 will apply when the duty in inserted section 76A(2) ends.
Commentary on Sections Part 1 - Homelessness Section 17: Help to retain suitable accommodation secured in exercise of homelessness functions