Overview

This bill aims to ensure that homeless individuals with terminal illnesses receive appropriate end-of-life care and housing. It amends the Housing Act 1996 to prioritize their housing needs and facilitate cooperation between relevant authorities to provide suitable accommodation and support.

Description

The bill makes several key changes to the Housing Act 1996:

• Revised Definition of "Intentionally Homeless": Individuals deemed eligible for end-of-life care by a medical practitioner (defined as someone expected to die within 12 months or receiving end-of-life treatment) will not be considered intentionally homeless.
• Assessment of Eligibility: The Secretary of State can create regulations for further assessment criteria for end-of-life care eligibility, subject to parliamentary approval.
• Modified Housing Duty Conditions: The bill modifies existing housing duty conditions to ensure that individuals eligible for end-of-life care receive appropriate accommodation and care, regardless of existing restrictions such as local connection or being considered a person from abroad.
• Enhanced Cooperation: Local housing authorities, social services, and clinical commissioning groups must cooperate to secure appropriate accommodation and care for eligible individuals. The Secretary of State will publish guidance and protocols for this.
• Pilot Schemes: The bill allows for pilot schemes to support homeless individuals eligible for end-of-life care, with a review and report to Parliament on their effectiveness.

Government Spending

The bill allows for government expenditure on pilot schemes designed to support homeless people receiving end-of-life care. The exact amount is not specified in the bill.

Groups Affected

• Homeless individuals with terminal illnesses: This bill directly benefits this group by potentially providing them with housing and end-of-life care.
• Local Housing Authorities: These authorities will have new responsibilities for assessing and providing housing and support for this group, potentially increasing their workload and requiring additional resources.
• Healthcare professionals: Medical practitioners will be involved in assessing eligibility for end-of-life care and may be required to interact more with housing authorities.
• Social Services Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups: These organizations will be required to cooperate with local housing authorities to provide comprehensive care and support.

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