Question reference: S5W-09056
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 27 April 2017
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 9 May 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-07226 by Kevin Stewart on 1 March 2017, what actions it has taken following such recommendations.
Answer
The Scottish Government has taken a number of actions as a result of delivering the workplan and recommendations of the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group:
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We are working with local authorities to identify models of temporary accommodation which can improve outcomes for homeless households. This is against the background of a reduction of funding made available for temporary accommodation as a result of UK Government welfare reform. A formula for distribution of funding for 2017-18, which was transferred from UK Government to the Scottish Government for temporary accommodation to local authorities, was agreed with COSLA in March 2017.
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A number of steps have also been taken to strengthen links between homelessness and health services, including work to link data to improve understanding and inform policy responses. This has been alongside supporting the promotion of innovative approaches to addressing homelessness amongst those with more complex needs such as the Housing First approach and the need for Psychologically Informed Environments.
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All of this is also linked to our continued promotion of the Housing Options approach and financial support for local authorities, including providing additional funding for the development of a training toolkit which will involve a number of different policy areas beyond housing. The toolkit will assist to ensure a consistent response on Housing Options across Scotland.