Written Question · S3W-22341 · Session 3
Whether it will work with housing associations to ensure that care leavers are given appropriate priority in housing allocation.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executivewhether it will work with housing associations to ensure that care leavers are given appropriate priority in housing allocation.
The answer
The Scottish Government held a seminar on 1 April 2009, in partnership with the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum for local authorities to consider accommodation issues for care leavers. It is for local authorities to ensure that young people leaving care have appropriate accommodation as part of a package of support as they make the transition from care to adult living.
Under Scottish housing legislation and guidance social landlords, including housing associations, are required to allocate their housing on an objective assessment of housing need. Within this legislative framework and existing guidance, landlords have discretion to develop their own allocation and letting policies in line with local priorities.
Local authorities also have additional duties towards people leaving care under homelessness legislation. However, guidance makes clear that homelessness legislation should not be the main route for accessing accommodation for young people leaving care and emphasises the importance of relevant services working together with the young person to identify suitable housing.
Following research into social housing allocations, the Scottish Government is undertaking a review of social housing allocations policy with the intention of providing new guidance to support social landlords to understand the requirements upon them and make use of the flexibility they have. To support the review, an advisory group made up of housing policy professionals, practitioners and tenant representatives has been established. Membership includes the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Chartered Institute of Housing (Scotland), COSLA, Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers, Shelter Scotland, the Scottish Housing Regulator and representatives from the regional network of registered tenant organisations. In developing new guidance, we will consider including further advice to social landlords to support them to understand and appropriately respond to the housing needs of care leavers.
Under Scottish housing legislation and guidance social landlords, including housing associations, are required to allocate their housing on an objective assessment of housing need. Within this legislative framework and existing guidance, landlords have discretion to develop their own allocation and letting policies in line with local priorities.
Local authorities also have additional duties towards people leaving care under homelessness legislation. However, guidance makes clear that homelessness legislation should not be the main route for accessing accommodation for young people leaving care and emphasises the importance of relevant services working together with the young person to identify suitable housing.
Following research into social housing allocations, the Scottish Government is undertaking a review of social housing allocations policy with the intention of providing new guidance to support social landlords to understand the requirements upon them and make use of the flexibility they have. To support the review, an advisory group made up of housing policy professionals, practitioners and tenant representatives has been established. Membership includes the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Chartered Institute of Housing (Scotland), COSLA, Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers, Shelter Scotland, the Scottish Housing Regulator and representatives from the regional network of registered tenant organisations. In developing new guidance, we will consider including further advice to social landlords to support them to understand and appropriately respond to the housing needs of care leavers.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-22341 by reference.