Exploring the impact of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 on women involved in the criminal justice system

In 2014, legislation was introduced in Wales that placed new obligations on local authorities to prevent homelessness. If effective, the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 (hereafter referred to as the Act) should provide greater assistance and support to households not considered 'in priority need'. However, the Act also removed priority need status for prison leavers, meaning local authorities no longer have an automatic duty to secure accommodation for people released from prison homeless.

In the initial years after the introduction of the Act, and at a time when homelessness is on the rise, this report provides an insight into whether this housing policy is 'fit for purpose' for women leaving – and often returning to – prison and provides recommendations for how policy and practice can be improved to better support them.

Abstract report
Full report
Executive summary

Author: Alice Moore
Published: 2018