Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 16 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the effective mainstreaming of Housing First, following the end of the pathfinder projects.
At 1 October, all six local authorities in the pathfinder programme have mainstreamed their support provision and remain committed to delivering a Housing First programme. I can confirm that the Housing First pathfinder programme formally ends on 31 March 2022. The Scottish Government has provided local authorities with 50% of funding for the final year to support the mainstreaming of Housing First. This funding ended on 30 September 2021.
To support the scaling up and mainstreaming of Housing First, the Scottish Government has been working in partnership with Homeless Network Scotland on a suite of tools to support local authorities and their partners:
Scottish Government’s funding of Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans support the development of Housing First across Scotland. Officials are supporting local authorities through regular meetings and on an individual basis. These foster a supportive environment to ensure effective implementation of Housing First programmes across Scotland. Homeless Network Scotland’s annual Housing First Conference on 31 March 2022 will coincide with, and celebrate the end of, the pathfinder programme.