Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland: 2012-13

1. Introduction

1.1. This statistics bulletin provides information on homelessness applications, assessments and outcomes to 31 March 2013. It includes information on the characteristics of applicant households, local authority assessments and the action taken in respect of cases that were concluded. Snapshot data on households in temporary accommodation at 31 March 2013 are presented, together with data on the implementation of the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2004 and notifications of households at risk of homelessness due to eviction/repossession.

1.2. The purpose of this web only publication is to give an overview of key trends and features of homelessness in Scotland. As a consequence, the bulletin provides mainly summary tables and charts. More detailed reference tables providing a full suite of detailed tables have also been published on the Scottish Government website.

1.3. This bulletin also updates previously published figures.

A Quick Guide to Homelessness Applications

1.4. There are three stages to a homelessness application. These stages are:

• The Application stage where the household first presents to the council.
• The Assessment stage where the council assesses:
  • whether the applicant is homeless;
  • if so, whether the applicant has a priority need (this test was applicable only until 31^st December 2012);
  • if so, whether the applicant made themselves homeless intentionally; and
  • if they were unintentionally homeless (and in priority need), and if they have no local connection with the local authority to which they made the application it may test whether they have a local connection with another local authority area.
• The Outcome stage. The type of accommodation the applicant is entitled to depends on the council's assessment decision.

1.5. Applicants are entitled to temporary accommodation, typically whilst they're awaiting an assessment decision, whilst waiting for settled accommodation to be found or, if they are intentionally homeless then they are provided with temporary accommodation and advice and assistance to help them secure alternative accommodation. More information on the duty to provide temporary accommodation can be found in the Code of Guidance on Homelessness.