Temporary accommodation provision is by far the single biggest part of the homelessness services provided by local authorities. However, there is evidence to suggest that the duties around the provision of temporary accommodation are among the hardest to achieve.

In 2004 Shelter Scotland published research into how local authorities were coping with the increased requirements to provide temporary accommodation to all households assessed as homeless. This research found that council's were struggling to comply with these additional temporary accommodation duties.

This report details the findings of further research in this area, conducted in autumn 2006. Three short online surveys were conducted to provide a snapshot of the perceptions of a range of professionals either working in temporary accommodation (through a local authority, RSL or voluntary sector organisation) and those working to provide advice and/or support services to homeless households.

The research findings indicate that:

• The duty to provide or arrange temporary accommodation for all households assessed as homeless is still a struggle to meet.
• The main obstacles to accommodation are lack of supply and applicants presenting with support needs that cannot be met within the available accommodation.
• The pressures that are being experienced are expected to continue over the coming two years.
• There has been a marked increase in local authorities engaging partners in other parts of the housing sector in delivering temporary accommodation. This is also expected to continue.