Question reference: S3W-09557
- Asked by: Keith Brown, MSP for Ochil, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 6 February 2008
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Current status: Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 25 February 2008
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that temporary bed and breakfast accommodation in the event of homelessness is a sufficiently safe option for those who have previously worked with convicted criminals in a professional context and would have significant concerns about their own personal safety in such circumstances.
Answer
The Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order (2004) prohibits the routine use of unsuitable temporary accommodation for homeless households with children or pregnant women. The order does not explicitly prevent the use of bed and breakfast accommodation, rather it requires that such accommodation meet the standards set out in the order.
More generally with regard to all homeless households, the policy is that the use of bed and breakfast accommodation should be minimised. The Code of Guidance on homelessness states that local authorities should only use bed and breakfast to provide temporary accommodation as a last resort.
It is for local authorities to decide how to discharge their duty to provide temporary accommodation for homeless households, subject to the requirements in the legislation and the fact that local authorities must have regard to the Code of Guidance. If a household is not content with the accommodation provided then they have the right to appeal to the local authority.
The government is not aware of any such circumstances as set out in this question.