From the housing team at Garden Court Chambers, Tim Baldwin is an accomplished training known for his fierce commitment to his work for a myriad of clients facing various housing difficulties: from people in social housing, to Gypsies and Travellers and the homeless.

In this presentation, Tim provides us with his Homelessness Law Update this spring (2025). He shares significant developments in legislation and caselaw, giving a comprehensive overview of key cases between the years 2024 and 2025. He highlights the significance of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the creation of a priority of need for victims of domestic abuse. He ends with reflections on possible issues for the future.

Key words/topics

R (ona SK) v Windsor and Maidenhead [2024] EWHC 158 (admin)

R(ona Pickford) v Sandwell MBC [2024] EWHC 756 (admin)

Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2003

R (ZRR) v Bexley LBC [2024] EWHC 2073 (admin)

UO v Redbridge LBC [2024] EWHC 1989 (admin)

R(ona Begum) v Tower Hamlets LBC [2024] EWHC 2279 (admin)

Housing Act 1996

Children Act 2004

R(ona RR) v Enfield [2024] EWHC 2501 (admin)

Equality Act 2010

Article 14 ECHR

R(ona Scalora) v Kensington and Chelsea RLBC [2024] EWHC 3383 (admin)

R(ona TJ) v Monmouthshire CC [2024] EWHC 2594 (admin)

Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014: S.145 Code of Practice (Assessing the Needs of Individuals)

Idara v Southwark LBC [2024] EWHC 3556 (KB)

R(ona EM) v Havering LBC [2024] EWHC 3016 (admin)

R (ona Ivory) v Welwyn Hatfield BC [2024] EWCA Civ 21

Hussaini v Islington LBC [2024] EWCA Civ 22

“Special circumstances” s199 Housing Act 1996

Munemo v City of Wolverhampton Council [2025] EWCC 4

Ghaoui v Waltham Forest LBC [2024] EWCA civ 405

R (ona Campbell) v Ealing LBC [2024] EWCA 540

Fertre v Vale of White Horse DC [2024] EWCA civ 1616

R (ona Bano) v Waltham Fores LBC [2025] EWCA Civ 92

Ofori – Addo v Haringey LBC [2025] EWCA civ 277

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

The Renters Reform Act 2025

Local Authority Bankruptcies

Provision for former asylum seekers