Tenant participation newsletter: making a difference

Homelessness –
after HARSAG

Having somewhere to call home is a basic human right and one of the most important factors in any person’s quality of life.

This is central to the government’s drive for a fairer and more prosperous Scotland and at the core of its Ending Homelessness Together: High Level Action Plan, published at the end of 2018 in partnership with COSLA.

Scotland already has some of the strongest rights in the world for anyone experiencing homelessness. Anyone found to be homeless is legally entitled to housing and most people are provided with settled, permanent accommodation.

In the last decade, the number of people applying to be classed as homeless has fallen by around 39%. It’s a testament to the positive work which focuses on preventing the causes of homelessness. Despite this, many people still face barriers to support when faced with the blight of homelessness and the government is determined to tackle this. In September 2017, the First Minister set up the short life Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) to recommend actions to eradicate rough sleeping, transform the use of temporary accommodation and end homelessness for good.

Last June, the Action Group delivered 70 recommendations for systematic change at national and local level. Ministers accepted these, now translated into the Ending Homelessness Together: High Level Action Plan. This sets out the steps required to prevent homelessness and ensure everyone has a safe and settled home.

Scottish Government Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart said:

“In addition to homelessness and housing services, we need partners across services, including health, education, social work and justice to recognise and act when the people they work with are at risk of homelessness. Our shared ambition is bold and clear: we must create the environment for significant and lasting change. That means working across and outside traditional boundaries and developing collaborative approaches. We can and must end homelessness together.”

Work is already underway across the 32 local authorities, who have prepared draft plans for a transition to a rapid rehousing approach. This will see those experiencing homelessness supported into settled accommodation.

Action Plan implementation is overseen by the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group, co-chaired by the Scottish Government and COSLA. To drive the work forward, the Scottish Government has created a five-year £50 million Ending Homelessness Together Fund, with £23.5 million from this and the health portfolio already committed to rapid rehousing and Housing First, for people with more complex needs.

You can read more about HARSAG at https://www.gov.scot/groups/homelessness-and-rough-sleeping-action-group/