The Housing Corporation announced it will be launching a homelessness strategy for consultation in the autumn. It will focus on five areas:
A key focus for the homelessness strategy is expected to be the promotion of effective joint working between housing associations and local authorities. The Corporation will be working with the ODPM, housing associations, and local authorities to identify and break down the barriers that stand in the way of effective co-operation and workable solutions, so that the use of temporary accommodation can be reduced.
Communities Scotland published a new report into how well councils and registered social landlords are delivering services for homeless people. In its role as housing regulator, Communities Scotland inspected five local authorities and 22 housing associations during 2003/04 - its first year of inspections. The report pulls together the main findings on homelessness from these inspections, and summarises the key themes - strengths and weaknesses - found by the inspectors.
The report can be read on the Communities Scotland website at www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk.