Welcomes review into Priority Needs Order

Wednesday, 3 October, 2012

Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage that he will be undertaking a review into the category of ex-offenders under the Homeless Persons (Priority Need) (Wales) Order 2001.

Janet said: “I thoroughly welcome this announcement by the Minister, although it is not before time. As Shadow Minister for Local Government, I have called for a review of the guidance relating to this category of priority need from the Minister, and he has flatly refused.

“Now, faced with an overwhelming response from Local Authorities and registered social landlords, which have included highlighting the lack of evidence in terms of improved outcomes regarding reoffending, the Minister has been forced to concede that this element of the priority needs order needs review.

“I look forward to the Minister coming good on his promise for an all-encompassing look at this issue, and shall be monitoring progress appropriately.”

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Notes to editors:

The Summary of Consultation Responses states:

“The potential removal of priority need from former prisoners was broadly supported by local authorities and registered social landlords, with many responses highlighting the substantial and increasing burden created by this group of homeless people and a lack of evidence in terms of improved outcomes in terms of reduced levels of reoffending. Some voluntary sector organisations expressed concern about such a move as did criminal justice agencies who supported the proposal to gather more evidence about the link between priority need status and reoffending rates.” (Welsh Government: 2012, pp. 18[1])

[1] http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/housingcommunity/housewhitepaper/?lang=en

Notes to editors:

In Plenary on 2nd October 2012, the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, Mr Huw Lewis AM, said:

“In terms of the ending of priority need for ex-offenders… This was… quite a loud and consistent response through the consultation on the White Paper and I think that it deserves review. There will be a proper look at things such as whether people are following the guidance that already exists or whether they are falling into problems because they are not doing so. We will certainly take an all-encompassing look at that issue.” (National Assembly for Wales, Record of Proceedings, 2nd October 2012[1])

[1] http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber-fourth-assembly-rop.htm

anet has raised this matter in Plenary on a number of occasions:

See: National Assembly for Wales, Record of Proceedings[1]

- 18th July 2012

- 29th June 2011

[1] Ibid.

Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS

Welcomes review into Priority Needs Order