There are a number of changes which the Scottish Government plans through legislation and working in partnership with councils and other organisations.
2012
The major goal is to ensure that by 2012 all unintentionally homeless people have access to permanent housing.
At the moment homeless people who are found by the council to which they have applied to be in a category of 'priority need' (who are unintentionally homeless and who have a local connection) have the right to permanent accommodation.
This right will be expanded to include all unintentionally homeless people, by abolishing priority need.
As an interim target, local authorities should aim to reduce the proportion of non-priority assessments by 50 per cent by 2009. Guidance on options for achieving this interim target for 2009 has been made available.
There are other planned steps which will help prevent and alleviate homelessness, as well as giving homeless people more control over their situation.
Suspension of local connection
Currently, a homeless person who is in priority need and is unintentionally homeless still has to show they have a 'local connection' to the council to which they have applied. This connection can be as a result of having family in the area, or through work or some other reason.
A consultation exercise on Modifying Local Connection Provisions in Homelessness Legislation was carried out in 2006/2007. A working group has recently been formed to discuss the issues raised by local authorities during this consultation process. Research on the likely impact of any changes has also been published: Operation of power to modify local connection provisions.
Rights for people staying in hostels and other short term accommodation
At present, homeless people living in hostels have no rights in relation to their accommodation. In order to rectify this, it is proposed that new regulations be introduced in terms of occupancy. A consultation has been carried out and responses are currently being analysed. See the consultation on hostels and short-term accommodation.
Informing local authorities of notices of evictions
Section 11 of the 2003 Act came into force on 1 April 2009. This requires all landlords and creditors (such as mortgage companies) to inform local authorities when they raise Notices of Proceedings for eviction.
Further details about the commencement of Section 11 are available.
Children facing homelessness
The Scottish Government has issued draft guidance relating to meeting the best interests of children facing homelessness.