Chamber and committees

In 2008-09, 5% of applicants, 255 applicants per month, slept rough the night before applying for assistance. The official statistics show that the percentage of applicants under the homeless persons legislation who reported sleeping rough the night before applying for assistance has been dropping consistently over the past six years (10% of applicants in 2002-03, dropping to 5% of applicants in 2008-09.

In working to achieve the broader objectives for tackling and preventing homelessness jointly agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA, we recognise the importance of addressing rough sleeping. It is however the duty of the individual local authorities to plan how best to cater for the accommodation needs of rough sleepers and to determine the best available accommodation option for each individual case.

Under the proposals for a National Housing Trust, participating private sector partners would be expected to fund 35% of the purchase price of any homes to be provided for affordable rent through the housing trust model. As noted in the answer to question S3W-30251 on 21 January 2010, the upfront purchase price of the homes would depend on the outcome of a public procurement exercise under which any bids would be assessed to ensure they offer good value for public money.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Under the proposals for a National Housing Trust, participating local authorities would be expected to fund 65% of the purchase price of any homes to be provided for affordable rent through the Housing Trust model in their area. As noted in the answer to question S3W-30251 on 21 January 2010, the upfront purchase price of the homes would depend on the outcome of a public procurement exercise under which any bids would be assessed to ensure they offer good value for public money.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx

Figures on rough sleeping are now collected by local authorities through the HL1 form. Applicants are asked if they slept rough the night before applying for assistance. The HL1 form data has the advantage of providing data from 2002 which enables changes to be tracked over a period of time. Using the HL1 form data is the most efficient way of looking at the long-term trends in the number of rough sleepers.

The last survey of rough sleepers was carried out in 2003, coinciding with the then Scottish Executive''s target to eliminate the need to sleep rough by 2003. The Scottish Government no longer carries out twice yearly rough sleeper counts. Figures on rough sleeping are now collected by local authorities through the HL1 form. Applicants are asked if they slept rough the night before applying for assistance. In 2008-09, 5% of applicants slept rough the night before applying for assistance.

The upfront purchase price of any houses provided under the National Housing Trust proposals would depend on the outcome of a public procurement exercise under which any bids would be assessed to ensure they offer good value for public money, and good quality homes of the right type in suitable locations. This price could vary significantly depending on geographical location and size of property. Modelling for the business case assumed an average property price of around £137,000 including Stamp Duty Land Tax and other purchase costs. It is expected, however, that the majority of homes would be purchased for less than this amount.

Figures on rough sleeping are now collected by local authorities through the HL1 form. Applicants are asked if they slept rough the night before applying for assistance. In 2008-09, 5% of applicants slept rough the night before applying for assistance. The Scottish Government no longer carries out twice yearly rough sleeper surveys. The last survey was carried out in 2003, coinciding with the then Scottish Executive''s target to eliminate the need to sleep rough by 2003.

The Scottish Government does not collect figures on the number of available hostel beds. Figures on rough sleeping are collected by local authorities though the HL1 form. Applicants are asked if they slept rough the night before applying for assistance. In 2008-09, 5% of applicants slept rough the night before applying for assistance. It is the duty of individual local authorities to plan how best to meet the accommodation needs of rough sleepers and hostel style accommodation may not always be the most appropriate accommodation solution for meeting the needs of those sleeping rough.

Figures on rough sleeping are now collected by local authorities through the HL1 form. Applicants are asked if they slept rough the night before applying for assistance. In 2008-09, 5% of applicants slept rough the night before applying for assistance. The Scottish Government no longer carries out twice yearly rough sleeper counts.