Homelessness in Scotland: 2018 to 2019

Outcomes

(Tables 30 to 33)

Households assessed as unintentionally homeless have a right to settled accommodation - this is usually a tenancy with a local authority landlord or housing association, or a tenancy in the private rented sector. In 2018/19, over two-thirds of unintentionally homeless households secured settled accommodation (20,225 or 71% of unintentionally homeless households which had an outcome in 2018/19). This proportion has gradually increased since 2002/03 (when 48% secured settled accommodation) (Table 30, Chart 21).

Chart 21: Proportion of unintentionally homeless securing settled accommodation

The most common outcome type for those assessed as unintentionally homeless was a local authority tenancy, which accounted for 11,722 outcomes. This was an increase of 621 (6%) on 2017/18. (Table 30, Chart 22)

Chart 22: Outcome type for applicants assessed as unintentionally homeless

For those households assessed as unintentionally homeless, Perth and Kinross had the highest proportion of outcomes securing settled accommodation during 2018/19 (81% of outcomes). While North Ayrshire and Midlothian had the lowest (54% and 58% of outcomes respectively) (Table 31, Chart 23).

Chart 23: Proportion of applicants assessed as unintentionally homeless securing settled accommodation by local authority

Contact Lost / Unknown Outcomes

In 2018/19, local authorities closed 30,143 cases (Table 33). Of these, following an assessment of homelessness or threatened with homelessness, contact was maintained until case closure for 25,998 applications (86% of cases) (Chart 24). An outcome of lost contact or unknown outcome was reported for 14% of cases. The overall proportion of lost contacts has fallen over time, from 31% in 2002/03.

Chart 24: Proportion of applications where contact was maintained post assessment