Further action needed to meet homelessness target
28 Mar 08
Reports recommend measures to improve supply of affordable rented housing
Two reports on homelessness, published today, conclude that urgent action is still needed to improve the availability of affordable housing for rent, if the Scottish Government's target of eliminating priority need homelessness by 2012 is to be met.
The reports, by the Homelessness Support Project and the Homelessness Monitoring Group, both call on central and local government and their partners to work together to maximise the availability of such housing.
The former report urges action to ensure that the social landlord and private rented sectors fulfil their potential to prevent and address homelessness, and that current barriers to rehousing homeless people in these sectors are addressed if possible.
The latter says the Scottish Government, along with social landlords, should enter into discussions with other national bodies who may have surplus land or property with a view to negotiating preferential rates for its disposal. In addition councils should ensure that when disposing of any of their own land, first priority is given to the consideration of new housing. "This is a vital action if the general shortage of land for affordable housing in certain council areas is to be effectively addressed."
The Monitoring Group adds that it is equally important in areas of acute shortage of housing that councils retain current stock levels, and calls for consideration of further restrictions on the right to buy with a reassessment of pressured area status.
It notes also that the Scottish Government should ensure that Scottish Water's investment programme is sufficiently funded and prioritised to take account of all anticipated strategic infrastructure development, to ensure the provision of new housing is not delayed.
In a joint statement, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell and COSLA spokesperson Cllr Harry McGuigan said: "The target is ambitious. The reports indicate areas of good progress but reveal we still have a way to travel, with some local authorities facing significant challenges.
"However we remain committed to 2012 and to working together in partnership to prevent homelessness where possible and to ensure that delivery is managed and sustainable."
The reports can be read via these links: Homelessness Support Project and Homelessness Monitoring Group .