Scottish Government

Improve access to suitable housing options for those in housing need

DESCRIPTION:

The indicator measures the number of homeless and potentially homeless households assessed as in priority need as a proportion of all homeless and potentially homeless households.

SOURCE:

Data on homelessness is supplied electronically through HL1 returns to the Scottish Government. These returns provide detail on the progress and outcome of each application for assistance.  More information on the homelessness data we collect is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/15257/1529

Publications on homelessness statistics are available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/homelessstats

Our publications have been assessed as National Statistics.  National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics at:

http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/code-of-practice-for-official-statistics.pdf.

The legislation states that generally unintentionally homeless households in priority need are entitled to permanent accommodation. Additionally, local authorities may offer non-permanent accommodation to households where they invoke the Homeless Persons (Provisions of Non-permanent Accommodation) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.

In November 2012 the Scottish Parliament approved the Homelessness (Abolition of Priority Need Test) (Scotland) Order 2012 which gave effect to the 2012 homelessness commitment.  From 31st December 2012 the priority need test for homeless households was abolished.  As a result, from this date, all unintentionally homeless households are entitled to settled accommodation.

DEFINITIONS:

Applicant household: Those seeking assistance under the homelessness legislation.

Unintentionally homeless: Those assessed by councils as homeless or potentially homeless (in priority need – prior to 31^st December 2012) but not intentionally so.

Maintained contact: Applications not recorded as having lost contact with the council.

Accommodation secured: Offer of appropriate accommodation made by the council whether or not taken up by the applicant.

Settled accommodation: For most applicants this will be the offer of permanent accommodation as defined in the legislation. However, some applicants may be offered accommodation under the Homeless Persons (Provisions of Non-permanent Accommodation) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.

BASELINE AND PAST TRENDS:

The baseline year is 2006/07 as this is the last data point before the start of the first term of the current administration. The baseline figure is 76.7%.

Percentage of homeless households that are entitled to settled accommodation

CRITERIA FOR RECENT CHANGE ARROW:

This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1 percentage point of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 1 percentage point or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 1 percentage point or more suggests the position is worsening.

For information on general methodological approach, please click here.

FUTURE ISSUES OR REVIEWS:

As the indicator will reach 100% at the next update, work will take place to plan for an alternative measure, data sources permitting.

ASSOCIATED TARGET:

Target: All unintentionally homeless households will be entitled to settled accommodation by 2012.

This means that councils will have the same duty to house all homeless households which they currently have to those assessed as in priority need.

For more information on the target please see the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/10/contents

In November 2012 the Scottish Parliament approved the Homelessness (Abolition of Priority Need Test) (Scotland) Order 2012 which gave effect to the 2012 homelessness commitment.  From 31st December 2012 the priority need test for homeless households was abolished.  As a result, from this date, all unintentionally homeless households are entitled to settled accommodation.

End point: 2012/13 data point