The Scottish Government

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Introduction

1. The Ministerial Statement on the Abolition of Priority Need ¹, published in December last year, confirmed that Ministers intend to legislate this year to make changes to the current local connection provisions within homelessness legislation. This consultation paper is part of that process and is intended to ensure interested parties can express their views on the changes proposed, and effective monitoring of these.

2. The paper contains 4 sections:

• Section 1 sets out the background to the provisions contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 as they currently apply; the approach recommended by the Homelessness Task Force; the powers contained within the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003; further research and consideration which has taken place since the Task Force reported and the 2003 Act was passed; and future monitoring arrangements.
• Section 2 sets out the proposed changes to the current provisions; and the proposed content of the Ministerial statement governing these changes. Consultees are asked for their views on these issues.
• Section 3 contains the consultation questions; information on how to respond to the consultation; a copy of the respondent information form; and accompanying information on Scottish Executive consultation exercises.
• Section 4 contains distribution information and the Annexes referred to throughout the paper.

3. The main pieces of primary legislation involved are the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 - these are referred to throughout this paper as the 1987 Act and the 2003 Act respectively.

4. Responses to this consultation paper should be sent to homelessness@scotland.gsi.gov.uk by 19 January 2007. It would be helpful if the e-mail header could read Local connection - consultation response and also include your name or that of your organisation if you are replying on behalf of an organisation. If you would prefer to respond in hard copy please send this to:

5. If you have any comment about how this consultation exercise has been conducted, please send them to:

Name: Laura Dolan
Address: Homelessness Team, Area 1 H(South), Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ
E-mail: laura.dolan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Scottish Executive Homelessness Team
September 2006

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