Ban councils from discharging housing duty if person refuses long distance offer

Background

Ban local councils from designating people as “intentionally homeless” and relieving themselves of their duty if someone refuses an offer of housing more than 90 minutes away. Councils should be able to make long distance offers, but such offers would not discharge their duty.

Additional details

Many councils are under pressure to find housing for those who need it and may use “take it or leave it” offers, where people may be told that refusals could mean they are making themselves “intentionally homeless.” This can result in an offer of temporary or permanent housing over 200 miles away, where people may be forced to choose between being homeless or moving somewhere unfamiliar with no support, which may disrupt children's education and force them to quit their jobs.

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