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Wales passed a ‘life-changing’ homelessness bill…

Homelessness charities have hailed a potentially “life-changing” new bill that will provide support sooner to those at risk of losing their homes.

The Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation Bill is set to become law after clearing the Welsh Parliament last week. It will provide early intervention for people at risk of homelessness, while obliging public bodies to deepen cooperation to prevent people from losing their homes.

The law comes at a critical time with Wales experiencing exceptionally high levels of homelessness. Last year, councils across the country recorded nearly 13,300 households as homeless.

“This is truly a landmark day in Wales,” said Matt Downie, chief executive of the homelessness charity Crisis. “The new bill has the potential to be life-changing for the thousands of people across Wales that are facing the trauma that comes from living without a stable place to call home.”