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<p>Our rapid response to the pandemic through ‘Everyone In’ has ensured that thousands
of people experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping have been housed in emergency
accommodation since the start of the pandemic, to protect those at greater risk from
COVID-19. The Next Steps Accommodation Programme is supporting local authorities and
their partners to prevent people from returning to the streets. This is backed by
over half a billion pounds to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping this year.</p><p>Local
authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation for households that are
homeless and defined as being in priority need, unintentionally homeless and eligible
for assistance. They are obliged to secure temporary accommodation for the household
in the first instance until suitable long-term accommodation can be secured.</p><p>The
priority need category includes those who are vulnerable as a result of special reasons
and local authorities should consider the impact COVID-19 is having on those with
protected characteristics when carrying out their homelessness assessment and determining
priority need.</p>
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