On Tuesday 10th February, the Senedd voted to pass the final text of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill.
This follows three and a half years of work by the Welsh Government, the Expert Review Panel, and key stakeholders, including engagement with over 300 people with experience of homelessness. This is a momentous step that will transform our legal framework, support more effective prevention, remove barriers to accommodation and support, and ensure that wider public services play their part in ending homelessness. The final version of the Bill can be found here.
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, opened the Stage 4 debate, paying tribute to the 300+ people with experience of homelessness who shared their views with the Expert Review Panel and helped to shape the Bill. There were also contributions from Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid Cymru), Joel James MS (Welsh Conservatives) and Rhys ab Owen MS (independent), who have all been heavily involved in the scrutiny process and worked with Cymorth, Crisis and Shelter Cymru to submit amendments to strengthen the Bill. You can watch their speeches below.
The Bill passed with unanimous support.
What happens next?
Although Members of the Senedd have completed their work to scrutinise and vote on the Bill, it has not yet reached the end of its legislative journey. Over the next four weeks, the Counsel General and the Attorney General may, in accordance with section 112 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, refer the question of whether the Bill, or any provision of the Bill, would be within the Senedd’s legislative competence to the Supreme Court for decision. Following the four week period, the Presiding Officer will submit the Bill for Royal Assent. Once a Bill has received Royal Assent, it becomes an Act.
