Housing debate briefing: 8 May 2008

- The 2012 target – to give all unintentionally homeless households an equal right to a home – is the jewel in the crown of Scottish housing policy. As a nation, we should be proud of this internationally acclaimed target and it is critical that it remains as focus of Scottish Government policy.

- However, progress towards 2012, and an 'interim' target in 2009, is variable across Scotland. The majority of local authorities are moving in the right direction, but slowly.

- New reporting arrangements for local authorities brought in under the Concordat mean that progress towards 2012 could be more difficult to track in future.

- Local authorities need to meet the target on two fronts: by creating more permanent social lets and taking action to prevent homelessness.

- Shelter urges the Government to commission an independent assessment of the homelessness reform programme, to ensure that it can be delivered by 2012.