This content applies to Scotland only.

Shelter believes that everyone should have a home. Shelter Scotland was formed in 1968 to campaign for an end to the misery and devastation caused by homelessness. Recent years have seen unprecedented changes in the legislation relating to homelessness in Scotland, and these changes are now being implemented into practice in the services that homeless people receive. The most important of these changes is that all unintentionally homeless people in Scotland will have the right to a permanent home by 2012.

Shelter's policy work on homelessness

The policy library includes briefings on the homelessness legislation that have been introduced by the Scottish Government, and Shelter's views on how these can be translated into the practice of the services that are used by people affected by homelessness. Specific issues examined include the use of temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts, the lack of affordable housing that exists all over Scotland and how homelessness can be effectively tackled and prevented.

Key policy documents on homelessness

• Scottish housing green paper: initial response from Shelter
  This briefing outlines Shelter's initial response to the Scottish Government's Housing Discussion Paper 'Firm Foundations'
• Halfway to 2012: delivering on Scotland's homelessness commitments
  A report detailing the results of a questionnaire on progress towards delivering on Scotland's homelessness service targets sent to Homelessness Strategy Officers in local authorities.
• Homelessness annual report - 2006
  A report based on analysis of the Scottish Executive annual statistics on homelessness in Scotland.
• Homelessness prevention 2007
  This report draws together various strands of current thinking about homelessness prevention. It is aimed at national and local policy makers and at practitioners who want to develop their own range of services.
• The 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review in Scotland
  This is the submission from Shelter Scotland, Scottish Churches Housing Action, the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland and Scottish Council for Single Homeless to the 2007 Scottish Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), covering 2008-2011.
  
• Temporary accommodation: a summary ten point plan
  This briefing presents a summary of ten key ideas for providers of temporary accommodation.
• Homelessness statement 21 December 2005
  This briefing contains some initial observations from Shelter on the homelessness statement issued by the Scottish Executive in December 2005 and gives Shelter's views on priority need, changes to law and regulation, housing supply and prevention of homelessness.
• Abolishing priority need in Scotland by 2012
  Shelter's final response to the Scottish Executive consultation on the abolition of priority need by 2012. Shelter's view is that progress should take place at the rate of local authorities' ability to cope, but always with the clear view that the 2012 target is the agreed end point.
• Alternatives to bed and breakfast
  These practice guidelines aim to help local authorities in Scotland eradicate the number of homeless families staying in bed and breakfast (B&B) temporary accommodation.

Research and statistics on homelessness

As part of Shelter's work on homelessness, we monitor and collate statistics and research related to homelessness. You can read the latest homelessness facts and figures here, and read about recent reports and research papers on homelessness legislation, rough sleeping, good practice and other related issues here.

Further information

Homeless people's rights come from the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 and Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

• You can find out more about the rights homeless people now have under these laws in the Get advice pages.
• You can read how the new legislation is being brought into practice and will be implemented in the future in the practice solutions section.
• Find out what you can do to help in our campaign for everyone to have a home by 2012.
  
• For an in depth examination of the legislation, you can subscribe to our Legal service here.