Improving Temporary Accomodation Standards in Scotland

HOMELESSNESS - Welcoming the publication of responses to a consultation on improving temporary accommodation standards, Scottish Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said:

“While temporary accommodation can offer an important emergency safety net for anyone who finds themselves homeless with nowhere else to go, it should be a purely temporary measure.

“These consultation responses support Scottish Government proposals to prevent anyone from living in unsuitable temporary accommodation for longer than seven days. From May 2021, this new legislation, a UK first, will ensure people are moved into a more appropriate, permanent home as soon as possible.

“The consultation also demonstrated strong support for a set of legally enforcable standards, which people with experience of homelessness told us would help improve safety and standards by raising problems or issues temporary accomodation.

“This year we will build on the advisory standards we have already introduced and use these consultation responses as we work with partners to develop a legally enforceable standards framework.

“We will continue to support local authorities to deliver our progressive legislation as part of our £50 million plan to eradicate homelessness in Scotland.”

Background

A national consultation on improving Temporary Accommodation Standards was undertaken between 22 May and 14 August 2019.

The majority of responses agreed the Scottish Government should create standards for temporary accommodation based on advisory standards published by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Shelter Scotland. Official Scottish Government advisory standards based on those created by CIH and Shelter were incorporated into the homlessness Code of Guidance in November 2019.

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