Supporting Homeless People: Implementing the housing support duty

This research was carried out by Ann Rosengard Associates between October and December 2011 ahead of the Scottish Government's consultation on implementing the housing support duty which opened in January 2012.

In summary:

- The research involved a literature review and a programme of interviews with representatives from a range of national organisations and homelessness managers from 10 Scottish local authorities.

- Housing support is a well established area of practice and local authorities already have in place processes and mechanisms for assessment and delivery. This duty aims to ensure consistency of access to housing support.

- The research shows broad 'in principle' agreement about the critical need for systematic assessment of housing support needs and for the provision of housing support.

- The research shows that practitioners would find it useful to have guidance to accompany the housing support duty, which should empower local authority staff to provide the housing support that will help each household to stay in their accommodation and avoid repeat homelessness.