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MONITORING AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS
97. We have referred throughout to a number of information-gathering and reporting processes which are already in place or will need to be put in place in order to monitor progress in preventing and tackling homelessness and to assess capacity to make the necessary changes to achieve the 2012 target.
Capacity
98. We have set out above that the main indicators against which we will assess capacity to progress towards the 2012 target are as follows:
- Number of social lets required to house homeless people and associated impact on waiting lists;
- Number of homeless households in temporary accommodation and time spent there;
- The sustainability of solutions for homeless households; and
- Progress towards the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
In addition we have indicated that we also take account of information relating to:
- Voids and void management;
- Support needs;
- Hidden homelessness; and
- Impact of preventative activity.
99. In the main the information used will be from existing data sources - however we have also commissioned a new pro-forma to assess local affordable housing need and will discuss the frequency of returns with local authorities. Audit Scotland are also considering a replacement for the current SPI on homelessness which may contain a sustainability element.
100. The Homelessness Monitoring Group will reflect the situation in their annual reports - we will reassess progress and would anticipate that another statement should be made following analysis of authorities' ability to meet the targets of reducing their non-priority assessments by 50% by 2009.
Homelessness services and related Homelessness Task Force recommendations
101. In terms of local authorities' homelessness strategies we note that the process of resubmitting the entire strategy would be resource-intensive and may divert resources from delivery. We will continue to request an annual progress report and outcome agreement against the strategy, which should remain a live document and be subject to local monitoring, review and revision. The annual report should include an indication of progress towards the target set for the authority in terms of reducing non-priority assessments. Communities Scotland will also continue to inspect against the current version of strategies, taking into account the progress reports as well as compliance with statutory duties and Performance Standards.
102. We will provide further guidance to local authorities on the format of the progress reports and local outcome agreements which will focus on performance against the topline outcomes set out by the Homelessness Monitoring Group:
- No-one need sleep rough;
- Existing homelessness becomes more visible;
- Sustainable resettlement is secured for people who have become homeless;
- Fewer people become homeless in the first place; and
- The duration of homelessness is reduced.
103. The Monitoring Group will also continue to report on progress against these outcome at a national level, taking account of the following data sources:
Indicator | Data source |
|---|
No one need sleep rough | New national data source being considered following on from evaluation of the RSI |
Existing homelessness becomes more visible | HL1 data (presentations) Scottish Household Survey Local information |
Sustainable resettlement is secured for people who have become homeless | HL1 data (repeats) Potential Audit Scotland indicator |
Fewer people become homeless in the first place | HL1 data (homelessness assessments) Also hidden homelessness data |
The duration of homelessness is reduced. | Audit Scotland SPI HL1 data (time to close case) HL1/HL2 (time spent in temporary accommodation) |
Financial monitoring
104. In line with our culture of efficient government, we will aim to reduce bureaucracy in relation to homelessness funding by amalgamating currently distinct homelessness funding streams. Our intention is to have one funding stream which will be subject to the outcome agreements outlined above.
Joint working
105. The importance of working in partnership in achieving the 2012 target will continue to be crucial. Joint working arrangements between the Executive and local authorities have been significantly strengthened during the evidence gathering and consultation stages for preparation of this statement.
106. A greater understanding of the issues and challenges faced in implementing the target has been gained through the work of the new 2012 Planning Subgroup to the Homelessness Monitoring Group established at the beginning of this year and its substantial local authority representation. This has been supported by increased political dialogue between CoSLA and Ministers and the secondment of a local authority homelessness practitioner to the Executive. We will continue with, and build on the success of, these arrangements as we move forward. Two additional new posts will be established with Executive funding as dedicated support to local authorities in addressing issues relating to meeting the 2012 target under the joint direction of ALACHO, CoSLA and the Executive.
The interim objectives are: - The Homelessness Monitoring Group to report on local capacity to meet the 2012 target and national performance against top-level outcomes as part of their annual reporting.
- The Executive to provide further guidance on the format of local progress reports and outcome agreements by March 2006.
- Local authorities to report progress against their homelessness strategies on an annual basis - including a report on progress against the 2009 target.
- The Executive to streamline homelessness funding streams by for financial year 2007/08.
- New posts to provide support to local authorities in place by Summer 2006.
- A further Ministerial statement to be published following analysis of local authorities' ability to meet the target of reducing non-priority need assessments by 50% by 2009.
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