Doubt cast on 2012 homelessness goal

At a session at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland conference in Glasgow yesterday, chair Donna Milton asked people to show their hands if they thought the goal could be reached.

Only three of the 50 people present thought the target was achievable, although more than half thought local authorities and the government are committed to the goal.

Gavin Corbett, head of policy at Shelter Scotland, said the target was challenging but possible.

‘The point is you will have to have a proper response [to all homelessness applications]. Now councils decide if someone is not a priority and people come back again and again,’ he said.

Mr Corbett said one of the consequences of the target was a rise in the use of temporary accommodation.

Shelter Scotland released figures in September last year which showed a 160 per cent increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation in Scotland over the last 10 years. Mr Corbett said this was not wholly negative.

‘It’s temporary accommodation but it’s better than not getting a service at all,’ he said.

He explained CIH Scotland and Shelter Scotland are currently pushing for higher standards in local authority temporary accommodation.

Brian Lawson, convenor of housing and community safety at Renfrewshire council – one of only three councils which are doing well in moving towards the target – also spoke.

He talked of challenges in meeting the standard, including new legislation, increasing demand for temporary accommodation, increasing applications and more pressure on staff.

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