21.12 Under Part 7 of the Housing Act (HA) 1996 Local Housing Authorities (LHA) must ensure that advice and information about homelessness, and preventing homelessness, is available free of charge to everyone in their district. These advisory services must be designed to meet the specific needs of particular groups, including persons released from prison.

21.13 LHAs must also take reasonable steps to try to prevent and relieve eligible applicants' homelessness. These duties apply irrespective of whether a person has priority need or may be regarded as being intentionally homeless.

21.14 For all applicants that are eligible and homeless or threatened with becoming homeless within 56 days, the LHA must assess:

• The circumstances that have caused their homelessness,
• Their household's housing needs,
• The support they need to have and sustain accommodation.

21.15 The result of the assessment has to be shared with the applicant, and the LHA must then try to agree with them a Personalised Housing Plan (PHP) setting out the reasonable steps the authority will take to prevent or relieve their homelessness. The PHP will include steps the applicant is to take as well.