Tag: homelessness prevention fund

Supporting people at risk of homeslessness

A new prevention-focused approach and rapid rehousing will be at the heart of work reduce homelessness in Scotland over the next five years.

The Scottish Government unveiled plans for a shift in approach from crisis management to prevention as part of this year’s Programme for Government.

Measures to tackle homelessness include:

  • an additional 1,500 Housing First tenancies, supporting people with complex care needs into permanent housing
  • continued roll-out of the Homelessness Prevention Fund of £50 million over 10 years
  • £1 million from the Homelessness Prevention Fund for the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Homeless Network Scotland to strengthen tenancy sustainment activity by registered social landlords in Glasgow
  • £2 million for the ‘fund to leave’ scheme to become permanent, offering support for women and children to leave an abusive partner.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville visited homelessness charity Simon Community Scotland in Edinburgh, which is involved in two Scottish Government prevention pilot projects.

One is in partnership with Police Scotland while the other is in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service – which will enable police officers and ambulance staff to identify housing instability and homelessness risk and provide tailored individual support.

Ms Somerville said: “The best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place. That is why we are shifting our approach from crisis management to prevention and rapid rehousing.

“We will do all we can over this Parliament to help people off the streets and end the use of unsafe and harmful temporary accommodation.

“I was pleased to meet staff and tenants at Simon Community Scotland Streetreads library to hear first-hand how their early identification of housing problems is helping to make a real difference to people’s lives. Their homelessness prevention pilots are generating valuable learning and knowledge transfer, and we want to replicate this across the country.

“Over the next five years we will drive progress through our £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund, our Housing First programme which will provide 1,500 permanent tenancies for people experiencing homelessness, and our £2 million for the ‘fund to leave’ scheme which supports women to leave an abusive partner.

“Our record investment of up to £4.9 billion over the next five years will deliver around 36,000 affordable homes.”

Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 – gov.scot

Deputy First Minister launches rollout of £50 million to prevent homelessness

First 100 days commitments continue to be met

Halfway through the first 100 days of the Scottish Government formed in May, the rollout of an expanded 10-year £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund is underway.

£1 million is being made available for a second year to enable social landlords and third sector organisations to support tenants to stay in their homes.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Homeless Network Scotland are administering phase two of the Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund. This will provide a range of support to households in Glasgow, including assistance with rent arrears, repairs and furniture costs alongside initiatives to prevent people becoming homeless.

The fund is in addition to the £9 million invested to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in 2026-27. It forms part of the commitment to spend £50 million on homelessness prevention activity over the next decade.

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth will visit Sanctuary Housing Association’s offices and development in Toryglen, Glasgow.

Ms Gilruth said: “Preventing homelessness is not just the right thing to do – it is the most effective way to end it for good.

“For too long, the system has been geared towards responding to crisis rather than stopping it happen.

“So in our first 100 days in government, we are rolling out funding which will help to change that.

“This fund will help build up capacity of communities and public services to act earlier, supporting people before situations become critical and embedding prevention across organisations that interact with those at risk.

“Homelessness is devastating, but we know that most of it is preventable. That is why sustained, long-term investment in prevention is central to everything we are doing.”

Director of External Affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Paul Bradley said: “The Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund has had a transformative impact in preventing homelessness for hundreds of people across Scotland, so we wholly welcome its extension. 

“This funding is further proof that prevention works, and that housing associations, working alongside government and partners, can reach tenants long before a crisis.  

“The greatest way to tackle homelessness is to prevent it in the first place.

“Prevention funding running alongside a strong supply of safe, warm and affordable homes gives Scotland the best chance of a true step-change so no one has to face losing their home.”  

Homeless Network Scotland Chief Executive Maggie Brunjes said: “Preventing homelessness starts where people live.

“This second round of the Upstream Prevention Fund is a vital investment in Glasgow. Housing associations are ideally placed to prevent homelessness through their strong community roots and close partnerships with local charities. 

“Homelessness charities play a key strategic role too, bringing deep knowledge of the issues people face and how to tackle them early.

“Working with SFHA and local partners, we will build on the success of the first round to help more households stay in their homes and make prevention and joined-up support a real priority across the city.” 

£1.5 million for social landlords to work with families to prevent homelessness

Low-income families are to be protected against homelessness with a £1.5 million fund.

The Homelessness Prevention Fund will support housing associations and social landlords to work with their tenants to prevent crisis, and stop families from becoming homeless. Continue reading £1.5 million for social landlords to work with families to prevent homelessness