Homelessness charities in Scotland have raised fears that the Government’s plan to eradicate homelessness by 2012 will lead to short term target driven fixes rather than a long term solution.

Speaking at the launch of the new landlord vetting scheme, Scotland’s communities’ minister, Stewart Maxwell, has indicated that the way to meet homelessness targets is for councils to increase their use of Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs). The Government plans to make changes to the Homeless Person Interim Accommodation ( Scotland) Regulations 2002. The changes are expected to allow councils to make wider use of the privately rented sector and therefore increase the use of ASTs.

ASTs are initially only for a period of six months and it has been argued that this is not a long enough period of security for vulnerable people, who have known little stability during the time that they have been homeless.
Archie Stoddart, director of Shelter Scotland, told PIN: “There are issues about security, management and cost when looking at using the private rented sector as a way of housing people who are homeless. Six month ASTs are not enough to give people a secure start after a period of homelessness. At the very least we would want to see the period significantly extended. We look forward to responding to the forthcoming consultation on this.”