This section has effect as regards the duties owed by the local housing authority to an applicant where they are satisfied that he is threatened with homelessness.
Where they are satisfied that he has a priority need and are not satisfied that he became threatened with homelessness intentionally, they shall take reasonable steps to secure that accommodation does not cease to be available for his occupation.
Where—
they shall furnish him with advice and such assistance as they consider appropriate in the circumstances in any attempts he may make to secure that accommodation does not cease to be available for his occupation.
Subsection (2) does not affect any right of the local housing authority, whether by virtue of a contract, enactment or rule of law, to secure vacant possession of accommodation.