Funding towards Rapid Rehousing which helps local authorities tackle homelessness has been increased by the Scottish Government by £9million bringing it to £24million over 3 years.

This forms one part of  the Scottish Government’s £50 million Ending Homelessness Together fund.

Housing Minister in the Scottish Government Kevin Stewart said:

“Temporary accommodation provides an important safety net in a crisis, but we know it is not the solution.

“This additional funding will help reduce time spent in temporary accommodation and get people experiencing homelessness into appropriate and sustainable housing as quickly as possible.”

Rapid Rehousing was a key recommendation from The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group set up  in October 2017 .

Ending Rough Sleeping In Scotland – Interim Report

states:

It is essential to make direct contact with people who are at risk of or actively rough sleeping to understand their experiences and the complexities around their support needs, and prioritise responses based on individual need.  It is recognised that a shared approach to assessing need and vulnerability is required, with less use of concepts such as intentionality and local connection, and removal of benefits barriers to the provision that is needed to help extremely vulnerable people.

The report continues:

By ‘rapid re-housing by default’ we mean:

• Someone who is rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping should be housed in settled mainstream accommodation as quickly as possible
• Someone who has complex needs and is rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping should be housed in settled mainstream accommodation with the necessary wraparound support (in line with Housing First principles) as quickly as possible
• Someone who is rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping for whom rapid rehousing or Housing First would not yet be suitable (either because they do not want to move into mainstream housing, or because they have such a severe set of needs that they cannot safely be rehoused in mainstream accommodation) should be provided with accommodation that deals with their particular needs with the specialist support that is required.

Graham Houston,  COSLA Vice President said:

“Tackling Homelessness is a key issue for Councils across Scotland.  We welcome the extra resource to help local authorities begin to move towards Rapid Rehousing.  We will continue to work in partnership with Scottish Government to ensure Councils have the resources needed.”

Orkney – Advice from Orkney Islands Council

Orkney Islands Council provides a service to all homeless people. If you believe you may be homeless you should contact the Homelessness and Advice Section at Orkney Islands Council for advice and assistance. You can do this by phoning 01856873535 or by visiting our office at the following address:

Homelessness and Advice Section, Housing Services, Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall, KW15 1NY.

If you should become homeless outwith office hours, please telephone the duty officer on 07921582962.

Reporter: Fiona Grahame