Household in 'priority need' defined

The 1996 Housing Act refined and expanded the definition of a household in 'priority need' so as to include:

• A pregnant woman
• Dependent children
• Someone vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness or handicap or physical disability or other special reason
• Someone homeless or threatened with homelessness as a result of an emergency such as flood, fire or other disaster

This was expanded further still in England by the 2002 Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England) Order to include those:

• Aged 16 and 17 years old
• Aged under 21 years old who were in local authority care between the ages of 16 and 18
• Aged 21 and over who are vulnerable as a result of leaving local authority care
• Vulnerable as a result of leaving the armed forces

• Vulnerable as a result of leaving prisoner
• Fleeing domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence