Housing options (PREVENT1) statistics in Scotland: 2023-24

Outcomes

There was a 10% increase in Housing Options approaches closed in 2023-24 (45,104) compared to 2022-23 (40,885).

Recent reductions in the proportion of households making a homelessness application

Chart 6: Housing Options approaches with outcomes of ‘made homelessness application’ and ‘remained in current accommodation’, 2014-15 to 2023-24

Chart 6 also shows recent increases in the proportion of households remaining in their current accommodation. Proportions for other outcomes have remained relatively stable over the time series.

Outcomes vary greatly across local authorities. Clackmannanshire had the highest proportion going on to make a homelessness application (98%). East Dunbartonshire has the highest proportion with an outcome of ‘remained in current accommodation’ (59%) and Fife had the highest proportion with an outcome of ‘local authority / registered social landlord tenancy’ (30%).

Across Scotland, it took an average of 180 days to close a Housing Options case (that did not result in a homelessness application). This has increased from 137 days in 2022-23.

Time to close cases varies greatly by local authority, which may be reflective of the differences in Housing Options service provision and case management between local authorities.