Intentional Homelessness: Definition

Section 191(1) of the Housing Act 1996 provides:

A person is homeless intentionally if he has deliberately done or failed to do something in consequence of which he ceases to occupy accommodation which is available for his occupation and which it would have been reasonable for him to continue to occupy.

The Five Elements of Intentional Homelessness

  1. Deliberate act or omission
  2. The loss of accommodation must be in consequence of the act or omission
  3. There must be a cessation of occupation, as distinct from a failure to take up accommodation
  4. The accommodation must have been available for the occupation of the homeless person
  5. It must have been reasonable for the homeless person to continue to occupy the accommodation

In order for somebody to be intentionally homeless all of the elements of the definition must apply.