CAMPAIGNERS cried victory yesterday after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of single homeless people no longer having to prove they are more vulnerable than others in order to get support. The “landmark decision” came after a long-running legal challenge to the way councils process housing applications.

Until recently councils would request candidates to pass the Pereira Test, which assessed how “vulnerable” a homeless person is. But charities Crisis and Shelter considered it a “scandal” that any homeless person would be deemed not vulnerable as a result.

Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said: “During our intervention in this case, the court heard evidence of just how horrific a homeless person’s life has to be before they qualify for council help. “They are over nine times more likely to commit suicide and 13 times more likely to be a victim of violence.