(2) Information on ethnic status of homeless people should be analysed to assess whether any additional actions, focusing specifically on people from black and minority ethnic communities, are required. This should be complemented by a more qualitative study of the experience of homelessness amongst Scotland's black and minority ethnic communities. |
RAG status: Amber | Delivery contact: Scottish Executive (Homelessness Team) |
Progress to date: - An independent study commissioned by the Executive to examine the use and provision of homelessness services in Scotland by black and ethnic minority communities was published in July 2004. The study includes refugees and gypsy/travellers and is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/drf184-00.asp. A study of minority ethnic homelessness in Glasgow was commissioned by Communities Scotland and published in July 2004. The study is available at http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/cs_009022.pdf
- Revised Code of Guidance published in May 2005, updated to reflect outcomes of research projects.
- Scottish Executive contributing to Commission for Racial Equality's revised Statutory Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Housing.
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Action required & by whom: - Executive to progress follow-up research and CRE code of practice to identify any additional work required and implications for best practice.
- Other organisations to consider implications of research findings.
- CRE to publish revised Statutory Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Housing.
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Key milestones: - Publication of Black and Minority Ethnic Communities and Homelessness in Scotland and Minority Ethnic Homelessness in Glasgow July 2004.
- Revised Code of Guidance published May 2005.
- CRE Statutory Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Housing - 2006.
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(59) An expanded suite of questions relating to homelessness should be included in the Scottish Household Survey from 2003. |
RAG status: Green | Delivery contact: SHS Project Team, Scottish Executive |
Progress to date: - An expanded suite of questions on homelessness was included in the Scottish Household Survey ( SHS) Questionnaire 2003/04 and continued in the 2005/06 questionnaire.
- The additional questions have helped address information gaps identified by the Task Force by providing a wider understanding of homelessness trends and hidden homelessness. The complete two year data (2003/04) from these questions was published in August 2005. The 2003/04 Annual Report is available from the SHS website ( www.scotland.gov.uk/shs).
- The questions are also in the SHS in 2005/06; their inclusion in questionnaires beyond this date will be assessed in mid 2006.
- The outcome of the questionnaire consultation will be implemented from January 2007.
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Action required & by whom: - Scottish Executive Analytical Service and Homelessness Team to being discussions on how SHS questions could usefully be analysed and reported to HMG.
- Scottish Executive to make case for continued inclusion of homelessness questions, format of questions and usefulness of data analysis to date.
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Key milestones: - Publication of first complete two year sweep of data from expanded suite of homelessness questions - August 2005
- SHS Questionnaire review mid 2006.
- Publication of 2005/06 data - August 2007.
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