Ministerial statement: Staying on Track

The Ministerial statement outlining how the Executive proposes to achieve the abolition of priority need by 2012 was made at the end of December. It includes a number of interim objectives and mechanisms to ensure that Scotland remains on track to meet the 2012 target.

The statement recognises the importance of a sufficient supply of affordable housing and the various types of support needed to ensure tenancies can be sustained. It also makes welcome reference to the role of other aspects, including health and employability, to meeting the ambitious target.

Specifically the statement commits the Executive to a timetable for the implementation of the remaining parts of the Homelessness etc Scotland Act 2003 and to take account of the local impacts both in the next Spending Review and in its Strategic Housing Investment Framework. It also promises:

• the creation of an innovation fund to support prevention of homelessness;
• the production of practice guidance both on homelessness prevention and a housing options approach;
• a review of the operation of Section 5 referrals by June 2006;
• clarification of guidance on allocations and allocations research.

On the crucial question of how the abolition of priority need will be achieved, the Minister set local authorities the target of reducing the proportion of non priority need assessments by 50% by the year 2009. Overall in Scotland 75% of homeless households are found to be in priority need. However the proportion varies dramatically from 54% in some areas to 89% in others. The task therefore for some authorities will be greater than in others.

There is also a commitment to a further Ministerial Statement.

SCSH Director Robert Aldridge said: ‘The statement, and the constructive response to it from CoSLA and others, is extremely encouraging. Without any potential sanctions it will be more important than ever to maintain the momentum towards 2012 in all local authorities through close monitoring and support. SCSH will continue to offer whatever help we can to authorities during the period.