This legislation marks an important shift away from responding at crisis point and towards identifying risk earlier and preventing homelessness before it happens. For Llamau, this focus on prevention is essential. Homelessness is not inevitable. It is driven by pressure, trauma, poverty and unsafe situations, and it can be prevented when services work together.
The bill’s emphasis on multi-agency responsibility recognises that homelessness is rarely just about housing. Factors such as domestic abuse, family breakdown and poor mental health can all increase someone’s risk of homelessness. Public services have a vital role to play too. When organisations work together and respond early, people can access the support they need before reaching crisis point.
Llamau is proud to have been consulted during the development of this legislation, sharing insight from young people and women with lived experience of homelessness. Policy must be shaped by the people it affects.
Sam Austin, Chief Executive says:
“At Llamau, we see every day how people are pushed into homelessness by circumstances beyond their control. Prevention must be at the heart of our national response.
This bill gives Wales a real opportunity to build a fairer system. One that identifies risk earlier, helps public services work together better, and supports people into safe, secure homes.
If fully resourced and implemented with care, this legislation can move Wales closer to its ambition of ending homelessness. Llamau stands ready to play its part in making that vision a reality.”