A NEW law designed to reduce homelessness through early intervention comes into force today.

The legislation places a duty on local authorities to work with people who are at risk of losing their home within 56 days to help find a solution to their problems.

The Welsh Government hopes the new provisions will prevent three out of four people at risk of homelessness from losing their home.

Homelessness charity Shelter Cymru has given a guarded welcome to the legislation, which comes under the part 2 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

The charity has raised concerns about the law, which discharges homelessness duties into the private rented sector.

Shelter said they were "particularly concerned about the low level of security of tenure offered by the private rented sector, since most households will only have a six-month tenancy".

Shelter acknowledged that more people would have a right to assistance than ever before, but at the same time said social housing would no longer be the main way of assisting people out of crisis.

Instead, local authority “housing options” teams will have the power to discharge their homelessness duties with an offer of privately rented accommodation, the charity said.

Shelter Cymru director John Puzey said: “Homelessness prevention services are for everyone who is at risk of losing their home.

“You don’t need to be on benefits and you don’t need to fit into a ‘priority need’ group anymore.

“The fact is that homelessness can happen to anyone no matter what their background may be – a fact recognised by the Welsh Government who is opening up services wider than ever before.

“People need to be aware that this source of help is available to them.

“It’s also important that private landlords let local authorities know when they have tenants who may be at risk of homelessness through eviction.

“The authority may be able to intervene and prevent problems getting out of hand.”

Communities and tackling poverty minister, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Today, we have reached a major milestone. This legislation is a UK first and the most significant piece of homelessness law in well over 30 years.

“I recognise the challenges faced by all those involved in the housing sector, with continuing pressure on public finances, the rising cost of living and increasing demands on the affordable housing supply.

“This is why we are implementing this forward-thinking legislation, which focuses on the prevention of homelessness and reducing the number of people who go through the trauma of becoming homeless.”