Written by two leading practitioners in the field, this book is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the legal obligations of local authorities and housing associations in relation to the provision of permanent and temporary social housing, and the rights of those seeking such accommodation.

Housing Allocation and Homelessness: Law and Practice provides a uniquely balanced coverage of both allocation of social housing and homelessness, providing practical guidance on the statutory framework and how the legislation works in practice.

Building on the success of the first edition, the authors have thoroughly updated the book in light of new House of Lords’ decisions in Holmes-Moorhouse v Richmond, Birmingham v Ali and Ahmad v Newham and all other significant case-law, together with the latest statutory guidance. This includes the 2009 Code of Guidance on Housing Allocations, the 2009 supplementary Guidance on Intentional Homelessness, and the 2009 Circular on Accommodation for ex-Armed Forces, which are reproduced in full. This is combined with perceptive analysis of how the courts have interpreted the law in practice.

Supporting materials, including legislation (in consolidated form) and codes of guidance are provided as appendices for easy reference. These plus additional materials such as the Welsh Code of Guidance are also included on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Housing Allocation and Homelessness: Law and Practice is the most comprehensive resource for all housing lawyers, housing staff working in local authorities and housing associations, homelessness officers and those advising on homelessness and housing allocation.

Jan Luba QC and Liz Davies, Barristers, Garden Court Chambers

Allocation

• Allocation of Social Housing: An Overview
• Information, Applications and Decision-Making in Respect of Social Housing Allocation
• Eligibility for Allocation
• Allocation Schemes
• Being Allocated a Property
• Lettings by Registered Social Landlords 

Homelessness

• Local Housing Authorities' Homelessness Reviews and Strategies
• Homelessness Prevention
• Advisory Services and Applications for Homelessness Assistance
• Inquiries and Decisions
• Homeless or Threatened with Homelessness
• Eligibility for Assistance
• Priority Need
• Becoming Homeless Intentionally
• Referral between Different Local Housing Authorities
• Interim Accommodation -Duties and Powers
• Duties and Powers to Assist the Homeless
• Suitability of Accommodation
• Reviewing and Appealing Homelessness Decisions
• Other Help with Accommodation from Local Authorities
• Contracting out of Homelessness and Allocation Functions 

Appendices

• England: Allocation
• England: Homelessness
• Wales: Allocation and Homelessness

"Eminently readable with a confident, modern and elegant writing style ... extremely accessible thanks to the excellent index ... this new book is sure to find its place on many reference shelves for years to come."
Solicitors Journal

“This is an easy, well written guide to homelessness. I use it every day. This book is a must have for all housing advisors, supported housing staff, prison housing teams and floating support workers.”
Amazon reviewer

“highly useful … clearly set out … detailed … supported with references to relevant case law … particularly helpful … I would recommend it”
Landlordlawblog