(32) Local authorities, through their homelessness strategies, should provide the direction and create the framework within which all agencies join up to bring together a range of accessible options that open up genuine opportunities for homeless people. |
(34) Local authorities should establish crisis response systems which are flexible and provide individualised responses; ensure that all those without accommodation are able to access at least immediate emergency accommodation until appropriate assessment is carried out; are permanently available and accessible and perform a triage function; include joint protocols and procedures for needs assessment to ensure appropriate support for people with complex or multiple needs; have effective referral arrangements in place; ensure that explicit exit strategies are devised; and monitor and evaluate the outcomes of resettlement services and adjust and improve provision wherever appropriate. The effectiveness of these systems should be subject to inspection by Communities Scotland. |
(36) Local authorities should give priority to ensuring the availability of independent and informed advocacy services within their area and ensure that these services are well published. Advice and information should be made available in forms which are accessible by people of all ethnic groups and of all abilities |
(38) Homeless people should, wherever possible, be located in a community in which they feel comfortable and are likely to be fully integrated into community life. Wherever possible they should have the opportunity to live near friends and family and their workplace/school or higher/further education institution. |
(39) Local authorities should ensure that appropriate support packages are available for homeless people during their resettlement. |
(40) Local authorities should plan the provision of barrier-free housing for varying needs and respond quickly to requirements for adaptations to housing stock which will prevent the occupier from becoming homeless. |
(41) Local authorities' homelessness strategies should be dovetailed with domestic abuse strategies. In drawing up their homelessness strategies, local authorities should review the information and advice available to those who are, or may become, homeless as a result of domestic abuse, the availability of safe emergency supported accommodation, the availability of suitable long-term accommodation and support packages, and the extent to which local arrangements recognise the needs of children. Homelessness strategies should address the needs of all those who are or may become homeless as a result if domestic abuse, including young people and older people. |
(57) Local authorities, through their homelessness strategies, should develop practical means of enabling people affected by homelessness to (re)-build social networks. This may involve the use of new independent services or a review, with Social Inclusion Partnerships, of current practice. |
RAG status: Amber | Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, SE; Communities Scotland |
Progress to date: - As per recommendations 18-21
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Action required & by whom: - As per recommendations 18-21
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Key milestones: - As per recommendations 18-21
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(37) Local authorities should plan the delivery of a sufficient supply, range and location of temporary and supported accommodation. Provision should be made for the (sometimes very different) needs families, young people and groups who currently find it difficult to access or sustain any form of accommodation. Large-scale hostels should be replaced by alternative provision. Homelessness strategies should include proposals to reduce the use of Bed & Breakfast to a minimum, and to eliminate its use for families. |
RAG status: Amber | Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, SE |
Progress to date: - Order on Unsuitable Temporary Accommodation came into force December 2004, sets standards which temporary accommodation for households with children and pregnant women must meet. Order accompanied by supporting guidance.
- Arrangements are in place to monitor implementation of the Order: HL2 snapshot data return has been revised to give information on the number of breaches of the Order. In addition a six month pilot study is underway to give information on the circumstances and reason behind breaches of the Order. The pilot study will also elicit information on how local authorities have changed their working practices to cope with the introduction of the Order and what they think were the main factors which helped or hindered the introduction of the Order in their area.
- 3 of the large scale hostels in Glasgow have now been closed.
- Communities Scotland has published inspections reports for eight local authorities. All were using a range of temporary accommodation types but most were not planning effectively to identify and address future needs. At the time of inspection four authorities did not have adequate supplies of temporary accommodation to meet need and had failed to discharge their duty to provide temporary accommodation to people who were roofless; in one council this was a major weakness.
- See also recommendations 18-21.
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Action required & by whom: - Scottish Executive to consider results of pilot study and publish a report summarising the situation in Spring 2006. This will also include information on changes in working practices and more general guidance on what local authorities can do to help minimise the use of B&B more generally.
- Scottish Executive to consider amending the Order to remove the exceptional circumstance (3(3)( c)) which allows for the use of unsuitable accommodation if it is owned by the local authority and provides services or if it a women's refuge. (This exceptional circumstance was originally intended at the time of introduction of the Order to be removed at a later date).
- More generally, HMG remain concerned at the continued use of B&Bs for all vulnerable homeless people and will consider recommending extending the Order to cover this category. There has been concern raised by some local authorities that the Order should be amended to prevent the routine use of out-of-area placements for all vulnerable homeless people, not just households with children or pregnant women. Scottish Executive to consider amending the Order to prevent out-of-area placements for vulnerable homeless people. Before any such amendments are made there will be a full consultation.
- See also recommendations 18-21.
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Key milestones: - See also recommendations 18-21.
- Order on Unsuitable Temporary Accommodation came into force 6 December 2006.
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(35) The Executive should provide advice on the development of crisis response services and a national database and web-site of homelessness services should be established. |
RAG status: Amber | Delivery contact: Scottish Executive (Homelessness Team) |
Progress to date: - Executive guidance issued in March 2002 on the preparation of homelessness strategies included coverage of crisis response services. Where it is considered such services need strengthened to meet the Task Force's concept, this has been highlighted to relevant Councils in strategies feedback. Future advice on such services will be derived from positive practice identified over time by Communities Scotland.
- 'House Key' website launched January 2006, a list of 7,000 housing support services which can help vulnerable people to live in their own homes. Website will be complemented by a helpline later in 2006.
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Action required & by whom: - Executive to map existing databases of homelessness services and consider models of websites, including 'House Key', 'Homeless Dublin' and local models
- Scottish Executive and Shelter to discuss latter's database system..
- Local authorities to continue to develop crisis response systems as strategies are implemented and reviewed.
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Key milestones: - Scottish Executive guidance on crisis response systems issued March 2002.
- 'House Key' website launched January 2006.
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