EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
The ALACHO Project was established to provide dedicated support to councils to achieve the national homelessness target to abolish priority need by 2012. To conduct the project, two officers were seconded from council homelessness teams to the Scottish Government under the joint supervision of the Government, COSLA and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers ( ALACHO).
The report is the outcome of visits to Homelessness Teams throughout Scotland. It includes suggested actions for development by interested parties into an Action Plan.
The visits demonstrated very high levels of activity and commitment on the part of homelessness teams to do what they can to achieve the 2012 target, even where the prevailing view is that the timescale is too tight. The report highlights that the single biggest barrier to overcome, as far as most councils are concerned, is the shortage of affordable housing for rent. Despite difficulties and problems associated with the target, the view of many homelessness teams is that the objective is worthwhile; that the clear deadline was necessary to concentrate minds; and that the target has brought about and driven significant improvements in homelessness services throughout Scotland.
The report should be seen in the wider framework of the Scottish Government's policies and actions relating to housing including the Concordat between the Scottish Government and COSLA, the Housing Supply Task Force, the 'Firm Foundations' consultation document, the consultation to revise 'Scottish Planning Policy 3: Planning For Housing' and the revised Homelessness Monitoring Group.
The issues and barriers discussed in this Summary have been grouped under supply, prevention, support, legislative change and guidance and monitoring. The suggested actions are set out in the Annex.
Observations relating to 2012 target (See pages 10-12 of Main Report)
Where the following existed, it appeared that working towards the 2012 target was more effective:
- Political and Senior Officer Endorsement of the Homelessness Strategy.
- Corporate and Partnership working.
- Positive role of other housing providers.
- Prevention/Avoidance of Homelessness.
Issues Of Note (see pages 12-16 of Main Report)
It emerged that many councils continue to refer young care leavers through the homelessness route as a means of resettling young people from care. This is regarded as inappropriate since councils, as corporate parents, should develop accommodation and support in much more appropriate settings better to meet the needs of this particularly vulnerable group of young people.
Good performance monitoring and management is essential to demonstrate effectiveness and provides strategic direction.
The key issues around addressing long-term & sustainable solutions to homelessness involve:
- Longer - term resettlement and what types of support will be required for this.
- Building or re-establishing supportive social networks to stabilise peoples lives.
- Education, training and employability to increase confidence, self-esteem and independence.
- Comprehensively addressing the issues around those with multiple and complex needs.
- Developing enhanced housing management services to better sustain the tenancies of those most at risk of becoming homeless.
- Addressing the physical and mental health factors which contribute to homelessness.
Specific issues
Supply of New Social and Affordable Housing. (See Pages 17-23 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- High house prices, low incomes & the impact of the tourist industry on house price inflation - contributing to increased demand on the social and private sector rented markets, with a magnifying effect in remote/rural areas.
- Limited available/suitable land.
- Impact of increasing land prices.
- Speculative land banking by developers.
- Location of available land for development.
- Disposal of surplus public agency land.
- Higher construction costs in rural/island councils coupled with restricted development capacity.
- Financial burdens on developers in achieving affordable housing targets/completions.
- Planning constraints.
- Negative local attitudes in relating to affordable/social housing.
- Continuing loss through right to buy.
- Limited impact of pressured area status.
Temporary Accommodation Issues (See Pages 23-35 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- Variety of factors leading to increasing lengths of stay in temporary accommodation.
- Impact of the suspension of local connection.
- How best to meet 2009 priority need target.
- A wide range of approaches among councils in how they would move to meet the 2009 target. Consensus view that to meet the 2012 target the length of time spent in temporary accommodation would have to increase.
- Levels of RSL contributions to temporary accommodation provision.
- Meeting requirements relating to the appropriate provision of temporary accommodation to homeless households.
- Negative impact tourist industry has on councils ability to source private sector temporary leased accommodation and B & B.
- Potential negative impact of possible amendments to the Unsuitable Accommodation Order.
- Reservations regarding the use of PSL schemes.
- Negative impact of current Benefit Regulations in granting access to the Private Rented Sector.
- Addressing local resistance to the establishment of homeless projects.
- Difficulties in complying with the Code of Guidance/inspectorate regarding the length of time spent in temporary accommodation.
Allocations to Homeless Households (See Pages 35-43 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- Proportion of lets to homeless applicants.
- Interpretation of "reasonable preference".
- Maintaining "balanced Communities".
- Complying with Code of Guidance requirements.
- Addressing negative attitudes to homeless people.
- The role of RSLs and the private rented sector.
Prevention of homelessness (See Pages 44-53 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- Actual impact prevention will have in reducing presentations.
- Prevention as part of a wider set of services and initiatives.
- Defining prevention.
- Identifying what works.
- Monitoring & evaluation.
- Inconsistent buy in from other corporate/partner services.
Housing and wider forms of housing support (See Pages 54-63 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- Addressing multiple and complex needs.
- Community hostility to supported housing projects.
- Funding constraints.
- Inconsistent corporate and partnership working.
- Inadequate operational frameworks to address MCN.
Legislative Change & Guidance (See Pages 64-72 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- Confusion regarding the authority, purpose and appropriateness of centralised guidance.
- The role of prescriptive guidance in meeting the 2009 and 2012 targets.
- Uncertainty about the link between the 2009 and 2012 targets.
Monitoring and support arrangements (See Pages 73-74 of Main Report)
The main issues are:
- Concerns regarding the mechanisms to be used by the Scottish Government to assess each councils capacity to implement forthcoming legislation.
- Availability, level and security of all necessary future funding to achieve the target.