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INTRODUCTION
1. This statement sets out the measures which local authorities and Scottish Ministers have taken, are taking and will take in order to ensure that local authorities can reasonably be expected to perform their homelessness duties without having to distinguish between 'priority' and 'non-priority' households. This statement also sets out interim objectives to ensure that local authorities are in that position by 31 December 2012.
2. We are committed to removing the priority need distinction for a number of reasons. We believe that it is no longer right to assume that homelessness should be responded to on the basis of the characteristics of the household. All homeless people should have the same opportunity to access accommodation, with any distinctions being based on the severity of their current circumstances and the options which would be sustainable for them. Rather than bureaucratically categorising and labelling applicants, we want to move to a system where decision-making and outcomes are firmly focussed on applicants' needs.
3. The statement has been informed by a consultation process carried out earlier this year - which included the publication of a consultation paper; Ministerial meetings with elected members; consideration of the issues by the Homelessness Monitoring Group and its 2012 planning subgroup; a Parliamentary debate on homelessness; and various individual meetings between Executive officials and stakeholders.
4. An analysis of the consultation responses can be found at Appendix A. This statement responds to the key issues raised during the consultation process - under the following headings: making the best use of evidence; supply of appropriate and affordable housing; preventing homelessness; housing support and wider forms of support; legislative change and guidance; and monitoring and support arrangements. The statement sets out the information which is available at the moment in terms of progress being made towards the 2012 target and the next steps which need to be taken to drive and maintain further progress.
5. The Executive would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of partnership working if homelessness is to be prevented and tackled effectively in Scotland. We reiterate that local authorities have a corporate duty to address homelessness - we expect authorities to develop and deliver homelessness strategies in a way which transcends departmental boundaries. As an Executive we will continue to explore ways in which this joint approach can be better reflected and made a reality within central government.
6. Whilst acknowledging the key and unique delivery role which local authorities play under the homelessness legislation, we also emphasise the role which a number of other agencies must play if the 2012 target set above is to be met. These include registered social landlords and other landlords, health boards, Jobcentre Plus and voluntary organisations. The causes of homelessness are many and complex. Preventing homelessness therefore depends on a wide range of organisations working together, intervening early to ensure that Scottish households are able to find and sustain a home of their own and ensuring that those at risk of homelessness are identified and assisted as necessary.
7. Much has been done to address homelessness in Scotland since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. There is a consensus that homelessness is unacceptable in a modern Scotland. There is also growing awareness that although bricks and mortar are an essential part of the solution they are not in themselves enough. There is a need to consider the wide range of causes of homelessness and to prevent these; and to ensure that a household resettling from homelessness is given the support needed to prevent repeat homelessness.
8. Work still needs to be done however in improving knowledge, understanding and views of homelessness. It would be helpful for there to be a better understanding of the different reasons why people from a range of backgrounds become homeless; and that action to prevent and tackle homelessness is aimed at people living in a range of unsuitable circumstances - and those at risk of homelessness for a variety of reasons - and not just the minority who are sleeping rough or living in large-scale hostels.
9. Unfortunately it also remains necessary to emphasise that it is not acceptable to ignore or discriminate against homeless people; and that they should be fully accepted by the wider community of which they are a part. There still appears to be a belief that homeless people are 'less deserving' than others in housing need and homeless people are still isolated from the communities in which they live in a number of ways. There is an obvious need to address anti-social or criminal behaviour perpetrated by homeless people, just as there is a need to address this more widely and to recognise that providing suitable accommodation is an effective way to change behaviour and to reduce social exclusion and reoffending by helping to move people away from crime. However the vast majority of homeless people do not behave in this way.
10. The blueprint for the action we and local authorities are taking is the final report of the Homelessness Task Force. This set out a wide range of recommendations for improving homelessness services in Scotland - building on the legislative changes already made in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 which implemented the Task Force's first report. The Homelessness Monitoring Group was established in 2002 to oversee implementation of these recommendations and reports annually on progress.
11. We have always made clear that we will only implement changes to homelessness legislation at a pace which is sustainable and manageable for local authorities. This remains our position. A great deal of work has been undertaken - and is planned - to ensure that we and local authorities have the best possible evidence on which to base decisions as to pace and sustainability. We are clear that these decisions must rest on what is right for homeless households - ensuring that they are offered a sustainable solution - but also what is right for others in housing need so that their needs can also be addressed appropriately.
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