(1)A local housing authority must secure the provision, without charge, of a service providing people in its area, or people who have a local connection with its area, with—
(a)information and advice relating to preventing homelessness, securing accommodation when homeless, accessing any other help available for people who are homeless or may become homeless, and
(b)assistance in accessing help under this Chapter or any other help for people who are homeless or may become homeless.
(2)In relation to subsection (1)(a), the service must include, in particular, the publication of information and advice on the following matters—
(a)the system provided for by this Chapter and how the system operates in the authority's area;
(b)whether any other help for people who are homeless or may become homeless (whether or not the person is threatened with homelessness within the meaning of this Chapter) is available in the authority's area;
(c)how to access the help that is available.
(3)In relation to subsection (1)(b), the service must include, in particular, assistance in accessing help to prevent a person becoming homeless which is available whether or not the person is threatened with homelessness within the meaning of this Chapter.
(4)The local housing authority must, in particular by working with other public authorities, voluntary organisations and other persons, ensure that the service is designed to meet the needs of groups at particular risk of homelessness, including in particular—
(a)people leaving prison or youth detention accommodation,
(b)young people leaving care,
(c)people leaving the regular armed forces of the Crown,
(d)people leaving hospital after medical treatment for mental disorder as an inpatient, and
(e)people receiving mental health services in the community.
(5)Two or more local housing authorities may jointly secure the provision of a service under this section for their areas; and where they do so—
(a)references in this section to a local housing authority are to be read as references to the authorities acting jointly, and
(b)references in this section to a local housing authority's area are to be read as references to the combined area.
(6)The service required by this section may be integrated with the service required by section 17 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
Commencement Information
I1S. 60 in force at 27.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/1272, art. 2, Sch. para. 11