Why is this National Indicator important?
A fair society with strong, resilient communities meets the needs of all its citizens including the most vulnerable. Those without settled accommodation are less able to contribute to the economy and to access opportunities for employment or training. They are also more likely to suffer poor health.
What will influence this National Indicator?
There are a number of key influencing factors. These include:
- Effectiveness of councils', and others', prevention activity
- Supply of suitable affordable housing in the right locations
- Flexibility to offer tenure solutions tailored to needs of homeless applicants and people in housing need
- Ability of all social landlords - councils and housing associations - to contribute suitable lets
- Provision of ongoing housing and wider support to help the most vulnerable stay in settled accommodation
What is the Government's role?
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act, the Government has the responsibility to assess, by 2012, whether councils have the capacity to provide settled accommodation for the unintentionally homeless who need it. We help councils to achieve this capacity by:
- Monitoring and reviewing the operation of the homelessness system through regular statistical data collections and focused research
- Monitoring activity around prevention of homelessness
- Facilitating sharing of practice and learning
- Developing and updating statutory guidance on operational aspects of homelessness legislation
- Ensuring that guidance on housing planning, including local housing strategies, reflects the needs of homeless households
- Enacting secondary legislation mainly on the duties and powers of local authorities
- Providing new affordable housing through the development programme
How is Scotland performing?
The indicator ‘to improve access to suitable housing options for those in housing need' is measured by the proportion assessed as priority. After a substantial increase between 2000/01 to 2001/02 the percentage of homeless households assessed as priority increased by 4 percentage points between 2001/02 and 2006/07 to reach 76.8%. Progress has been more marked since 2006-07. The indicator increased by an average 2.8 percentage points per year from 2006-07 to reach 90.9% in 2011-12.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Scottish Government, Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland
Criteria for recent change
The evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 1 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 1 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
Local Authorities
Housing Associations (Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Glasgow West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations)
Voluntary sector
The Scottish Housing Regulator
Health providers
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Healthier
Safer and Stronger