News, events and consultations
19 September 2012 Meeting
Wednesday 19 September 2012
Homelessness Update
7.00-9.00pm
Portland Hall, University of Westminster, 4 Little Titchfield Street, London W1W 7UW
Consultation on Mobile Home Owners – HLPA Response
HLPA’s response to the DCLG consultation ‘Better Deal for Mobile Home Owners’ can be downloaded here
Consultation on Social Housing Fraud – HLPA Response
HLPA’s response to the DCLG consultation on social housing fraud can be downloaded here [link to doc file]
Allocations Guidance
The DCLG has published the new Allocations Code of Guidance for Local Authorities.
The Code of Guidance can be found here [pdf]
12 July 2012 – HLPA Seminar: Homeless Cases: Has the duty been discharged
Homeless Cases: Has the Duty Been Discharged?
Thursday 12 July 2012
A booking form is here for the above Intermediate Level HLPA Seminar, which will be held from 6.00-8.00pm on Thursday 12 July at Mary Ward Centre, 10 Great Turnstile Street, London WC1V 7JU (nearest underground stations Chancery Lane and Holborn).
With the Government set later this year to bring into force the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 that enable housing authorities to choose to complete the main homelessness duty by making an offer of private rented sector accommodation, this seminar will be of particular interest to housing practitioners wanting:
- an overview of the current position;
- to find out what the future holds for their homeless clients once a duty is accepted;
- how future decisions discharging duty may be challenged.
The seminar leaders are Jamie Burton and Ben Chataway from Doughty Street Chambers.
For further information, contact:
Professional Briefings
london@profbriefings.co.uk
01920 487672
Member password
The member password for the site has been updated. The new password was circulated to members signed up for 2012 by email on 21 May 2012.
If you have not received the email and are registered for 2012, please contact Chandra_Rao@shelter.org.uk
16 May 2012 Meeting
7 pm 16 May 2012
Possession Claims Old and New
Speakers:
Tim Powell: Powell Forster Solicitors
Tracey Bloom: Doughty Street Chambers
From 7 pm at Portland Hall, University of Westminster, 4 Little Titchfield Street, London W1W 7UW
Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2012 Nominations
The 2012 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year nominations are open.
In this difficult time for legal aid, what better than to celebrate the passion and commitment of those working in legal aid practice? Do you know someone or a practice whose work should be recognised in the LALYs? Then nominate them!
The nomination form is here and more details are here.
The closing date is 27 April 2012
Draft Allocation Code of Guidance Consultation Notes
ALLOCATION CODE OF GUIDANCE
Consultation Paper –DCLG (Department of Communities & Local Government)
Closing 30/03/2012
Message to HLPA members from David Watkinson (for Law Reform Sub-Group)
Final Reminder
Please Note the closing date for responses to the above
Responses to go to housingreform@communities.gsi.gov.uk
If you would like to contribute to HLPA’s response please send to David Watkinson by AM Wednesday 28/3/2012 to davidw@gclaw.co.uk
This will be the only Allocation Code once finalised as it will replace all previous Guidance
The scope of the Draft Code is wide so there is no substitute for reading it as a whole.
The consultation document can be dowmloaded here.
Some Topics:-
(1) The Draft Code assumes that ss 145-147 Localism Act 2011 amending Part 6 Housing Act 1996 is in force. Those greatly increase LHAs discretion as to allocation
(2) Existing secure/introductory tenants and assured tenants of RPRs or RSLs are taken out of Part 6 except those to be given ”reasonable preference “- under what is s 167 and will become s 166A. Apart from those the draft Code (para 1.9) gives very little guidance as to allocation (apart from assisting mobility and encouraging under occupiers to move (1.10))
(3) Local Housing Authorities (and the Secretary of State) will have power to decide the classes of persons who are or are not “qualifying persons” to whom LHAs may allocate (in addition the ineligibility of “persons from abroad” remains). There is little guidance as to the contents of those classes but may well include those “guilty of serious unacceptable behaviour” (para 2.5) and financial resources and local connection (para 4.20)
(4) Except that former members of the Armed Forces are not to be disqualified on residential grounds for 5 years after discharge ( para 3.23)
(5) For determining priority on grounds of overcrowding the SoS recommends the bedroom standard instead of the Housing Act 1985 definition (para 4.11)
There are 15 questions in total, 8 of which are directed to LHAs (but you can give a view on them as well)
21 March 2012 Meeting and AGM
Homeless Children and AGM
The AGM will start at 6.30 pm. The speakers will begin at 7 pm.
Speakers:
Zia Nabi: 1 Pump Court Chambers
Ian Wise: Doughty Street Chambers
From 6.30 pm on 21 March 2012 at Portland Hall, University of Westminster, 4 Little Titchfield Street, London W1W 7UW