Prevention of Homelessness Duties - A Joint Scottish Government and COSLA Consultation

The shared public responsibility for homelessness is the approach providing there is 'buy in' from all parties. The health and social care partnerships in particular have an important part to play.

Prevention at an earlier stage is also the right approach however chaotic life styles will always mean that in some cases a reactive service is required.

The main issues are covered

Intoducing new public duties is the right approach. With GPs struggling to deal with appointments at surgeries at the moment this will be a challenge. The 'Near Me' app works well but I'm not sure that without spending time with people in person that GPs will be able to identify those threatened with homelessness easily, particularly with only minutes to see patients. GPs are also not a public authority but private practice - will this have an impact?

Without asking and acting it would be difficult to prevent homelessness

Health and Social Care Partnerships
GPs
Housing Associations
Third Sector Organisations, for example Care Providers, Inspire, Cornerstone etc
Educatioin
Criminal Justice
Womens' Aid Organisations
All these agencies would be able to identify those threatened with homelessness and act to prevent this happening

To an extent this happens already and protocols are in place for hospital discharges, childrens' homes, prison etc. So this would legislate for what is happening on the ground.

In Aberdeenshire Langstane Housing Association works with Aberdeenshire Council to provide 'taster' flats for those leaving care. The young person chooses where they wish to live and we provide the accommodation on a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy. Support is provided by the through care after care service. After six months the tenancy can be converted to a SST and another flat provided to the service. The success rate is high and homelessness is prevented.

Communication is essential.

The main barrier is data sharing. Langstane has recently met with ACVO and the local Health and Social Care Partnership in relation to a shortage of care workers in the sector. If information could be shared about who needs support then the housing associations (not just Langstane) can help with even a welfare call to prevent crises situations arising - so not just people being discharged from hospital but those going into hospital.

The same with people being discharged home - if information is shared then a shared approach will help with any crises.

Health and well being plays an important part in homelessness prevention. Identifying when this is an issue is essential as is working together with housing organisations including the private sector and other agencies which will assist with prevention.

The legislative duty will assist with preventing homelessness. Is it more than just identifying that housing circumstances are an issue? Is it working closely with other agencies and not just making a referral for example and then having no further input.

Working with other agencies is important e.g. Cornerstone, Inspire and SAMH. So perhaps not the legal responsiblity for meeting accommodation and support needs perse but working with others to provide this.

As above - I think they would have to work with other organisations to make this work in practice

There would be accountability

I think this is happening on the ground. Langstane for example often liaise with social workers if the tenancy is in jeopardy to prevent homelessness and resolve issues, particularly the criminal justice team

Not just local authorities. When an applicant is referred to a housing association there is also a need to make sure those with mental illness or impairtment are supported in order to sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness. Communication and sharing information is essential

Perhaps not everyone but those who have no or unsuitable accommodation to go back to. The applicant is at a vulnerable point in their life and needs support. Saying this many local authorities already have hospital discharge protocols in place

The main challenge is likely to be finding suitable properties which are adapted for the patient where required. When a suitable property becomes vacant the local authority can't hold the void for 6 months so timing and availablity will be a challenge.

Training GPs on homelessness issues may be a challenge given their workload

I agree with the proposal but not sure how this would work in practice. GPs are not public authorities and with only minutes for a consultation how will they identify a risk of homelessness readily?

More time and resource for GP's - perhaps a dedicated liaison officer within each practice who has knowledge of the homelessness legislation

A lead person would be required to co ordinate services but I'm not sure this would necessarily be someone from a public service. For example if we think of the Housing First approach this could be a third sector agency - the important issue would be the buy in from all services to ensure the best outcome for the applicant

This approach works well for housing first but the challenge would be ensuring buy in from all agencies

This would be useful. It would also be useful to provide information to young people in schools on homelessness

Womens' Aid organisations also have their part to play in the implementation of the domestic abuse proposals through training and can also support survivors of domestic abuse to access exclusion orders. Only by organisations working in partnership will the issue be addressed

As a Registered Social Landlord, our current escalation policies for both arrears and anti social behaviour have a focus on a prevention first approach. Notification to a local authority via Section 11 protocols are in place but earlier notification may assist better with prevention. The Section 11 notifications are perhaps too late to be of real benefit. In my experience RSLs do everything they possibly can to prevent homelessness and so the impact of the notifications may be limited.

N/A

Yes this is fine - protocols should include Women's Aid organisations who can provide enhanced support which the local authorities may not be able to provide.

This is place for Section 11 notifications but as noted above will help if earlier notifications are made provided the local authorities have resources to assist

This will give the local authority time to consider the notification at an earlier stage

Noted above

3 months

In my view these principles are currently working in practice - certainly in the North East.
Including this in the statutory framework will reinforce the commitment to reducing homelessness

N/A

The outcomes would be clearer and measurable

It's very important that organisations work together to ensure a smooth transition and services are provided throughout the process.

As an example protocals are already in place between Housing Associations and the local authorities in terms of nomination agreements and regular meetings take place. More information could perhaps be shared to support the applicant

For the groups mentioned and where homelessness cannot be prevented the transition to other accommodation has to be supported for vulnerable groups.

Once the applicant is housed by the Association for example support has to be in place to ensure the tenancy works and homelessness doesn't become a revolving door.

For any vulnerable group the main issues is accessing furniture / white goods and carpets - the start of the tenancy is the most important element of sustainment and prevention, particularly for those referred from the local authority. It's not just about choice but practicalities.


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Communication and data sharing protocals in place

Protocals are already in place to deal with domestic abuse for many organisation. For example Langstane Housing Association works closely with Grampian Womens' Aid if we are aware of any tenants experiencing abuse. This is to provide support to remain in tenancies if this is the wish of the applicant. To widen this out and include the local authorities accessing exclusion orders is welcome as is the expansion of the definition.