The Scottish Government

Percentage of homeless households that are entitled to settled accommodation.

National Indicator/ Target

All unintentionally homeless households will be entitled to settled accommodation by 2012.

Brief Description

The Government is committed to the target, enshrined in the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003, that by no later than 2012 councils will have the same duty to house all homeless households which they currently have to those assessed as in priority need.

Progress towards the target is measured by the number of homeless and potentially homeless households assessed as in priority need as a proportion of all homeless and potentially homeless households.

At present a significant proportion of other homeless households - mainly single people - are assessed as non-priority.

Currently around 70% of priority need households take up the settled accommodation secured for them. Some applicants lose contact with councils before the outcome of their application and others refuse the accommodation offered by the council.

The legislation states that generally unintentionally homeless households in priority need are entitled to permanent accommodation. Additionally local authorities may offer other accommodation to these households where they invoke the Homeless Person Interim Accommodation (Scotland) Regulations 2002. These Regulations are currently being reviewed with a view to allowing greater flexibility.

Strategic Objective(s) to Which Indicator Relates

Wealthier & Fairer: By achieving the target all homeless households will be treated equally rather than being distinguished between as at present. Securing settled accommodation with support where needed will give homeless applicants greater access to training and employment opportunities.

Healthier: Securing settled accommodation with support where needed will improve overall health & wellbeing of homeless applicants and provide a stable environment to assist those with drug and alcohol problems.

Safer and Stronger: Communities are stronger and more cohesive when everybody has the opportunity to contribute. Homeless people are also safer when they have settled accommodation.

More Detailed Definitions

Definitions of Keywords

Applicant household: Those seeking assistance under the homelessness legislation.

Unintentionally homeless: Those assessed by councils as homeless or potentially homeless in priority need but not intentionally so.

Maintained contact: Applications not recorded as having lost contact with the council.

Accommodation secured: Offer of appropriate accommodation made by the council whether or not taken up by the applicant.

Settled accommodation: For most applicants this will be the offer of permanent accommodation as defined in the legislation. However, some applicants may be offered accommodation under the Homeless Persons Interim Accommodation Regulations (Scotland) 2002.

Evidence Source

Homelessness statistics supplied to the Scottish Government Communities Analytical Services Division electronically in HL1 returns. These returns provide detail on the progress and outcome of each application for assistance.

Baseline and Past Trends

Baseline:- 2006/07: 76%

Past Trends:-
2002/03: 73%
2003/04 73%
2004/05 75%
2005/06 76%

Methodology for Data Source

Percentage = 100*total number assessed as in priority need / total number assessed as homeless.

Data Ownership and Quality Assurance

Source of data is HL1 case returns from councils. Outputs are National Statistics. Data provided by councils and analysis managed by Scottish Government.

Publication of Data

Annual (financial year) summary publication of applications and outcomes in autumn following the end of the financial year.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/PubHomeless

Methodology for Recent Change Arrow on Scotland Performs

This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1.0 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 1.0 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 1.0 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.