Liverpool Council’s ‘new homeless strategy’ is current legislation they have NOT been complying with?

As a housing professional of almost 30 years, including as a housing options / Homeless Officer for a number of local authorities nationwide, Liverpool Council’s announcement is actually deeply insulting!

Liverpool Council have contributed to the ever-increasing numbers of homelessness in the city by failing to comply with the STATUTORY duties under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996 to PREVENT and / or RELIEVE homelessness!

These statutory failures and failures to value and proactively work with many of the good private sector landlords and conversely to take the requisite enforcement actions against increasing numbers of rogue landlords and agents is a significant contributing factor to the city’s increasing numbers of homeless persons and vulnerably housed households.

The only ‘new’ thing is LCC’s declaration that they will now comply with the aforementioned statutory duties as standard!

When are local authorities going to be scrutinised and held accountable for their failings to the public?

Maat