What action is the Minister taking to ensure people can not intentionally give up their private rented accommodation and present as being homeless in an effort to get affordable housing, following comments from Cardiff Council's director for adults, housing and communities?
The Code of Guidance for Local Authorities on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness sets out relevant information related to ‘intentional’ homelessness.
Local authorities can apply the intentionality test, as set out in the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, where a person either undertakes a deliberate act which has resulted in them losing their accommodation or, entered into an agreement to cease occupying accommodation which it would have been reasonable for them to continue to occupy.
Welsh Government understands that people making themselves intentionally homeless is very rare; that local authorities apply the intentionality test in exceptional cases; and local authorities always seek ways to alleviate presentations of homelessness through a trauma-informed, person-centred approach.