This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Homelessness and the abolition of 'priority need'
18/08/2005
A consultation on the content of a Statement by Scottish
Ministers to advise the Parliament on progress being made
under homelessness legislation was published today.
Passed in 2003, the Homelessness Etc. (Scotland) Act,
thought to be the most progressive homelessness legislation
in Europe, requires a Ministerial Statement this year on
the abolition of 'priority need' by 2012.
Presently, all people applying as homeless have the
right to temporary accommodation and advice and assistance,
but only those people assessed as being in 'priority need'
are currently eligible for permanent accommodation. By
abolishing 'priority need' under the new legislation, all
people who are unintentionally homeless will be entitled to
a permanent home by 2012.
The consultation asks for views in order for the
Ministerial Statement to be as comprehensive as possible
in: explaining what progress has been made; setting out
what future action is needed by local authorities, partners
and the Executive to meet the 2012 target and; giving
effective guidance for planning delivery on this.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Homelessness is a complex issue which continues to
affect too many people in Scotland. It can have a long-term
damaging impact on people's lives, their health, welfare
and their future, and we are determined to prevent and
address homelessness in Scotland.
"I have often said, and it is worth repeating, that
tackling homelessness is about more than providing a roof
over someone's head. But we are committed to delivering, by
2012, a permanent home for those unintentionally found
homeless. In meeting this aim we need to consider how in
practical terms we can abolish the current system and
provide suitable accommodation and support for all those
presenting as homeless.
"We are working in partnership with local authorities,
public bodies, and local and national voluntary
organisations to deliver on what has been described as some
of the most progressive homelessness legislation in Europe
and the Ministerial statement will be another important
step in this process."
Those with a responsibility for planning, delivering,
inputting into and working with local Homelessness
Strategies are expected to respond to the consultation. The
consultation is closely linked to the Executive's wider
strategy for the supply of housing and is a key component
of ongoing work with local authorities to assess the likely
demand for and supply of housing in light of the 2012
target.
COSLA's Housing Spokesperson Douglas Reid said:
"Both the consultation and eventual Ministerial
statement are crucial to ensure that the appropriate
resources and realistic steps are in place towards the
ambitious 2012 target. Local government has a unique part
to play in delivering the objectives of the legislation,
and it's vital that councils are given the full opportunity
to provide information and views on what the statement
should include.
"The challenge of delivering the national homelessness
legislation is a tough one. Councils are committed to the
partnership effort of meeting this challenge, and this
significant milestone will help identify what needs to be
done and by whom."
The deadline for consultation responses is October 14,
2005.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the Homelessness
Etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 can be accessed at:
www.hmso.gov.uk