Shelter Scotland prevention duty overview March 2022

This document provides an overview of Shelter Scotland's position on proposals on a new prevention of homelessness duty.

Many of the proposals within the government consultation would introduce important and positive changes for people at risk of homelessness. However, for us the litmus test for any changes to Scotland's homelessness rights must be that they will reduce housing inequality and enhance existing homelessness rights and protections.

We have significant concerns about the proposal to remove people’s right to permanent accommodation and replace it with non-secure accommodation options. We strongly oppose this proposal and see it as an unnecessary dilution of Scotland statutory rights. In line with human rights-based obligations, there should be no regression of rights, and to realise the human right to adequate housing there must be security of tenure. We outline an alternative legislative change around discharging duty into supported accommodation which would meet the policy aspirations of choice and control whilst protecting the intention of the Scottish rights-based system and negating the need to regress rights.