Expert report defines future of housing support in Scotland

Supporting Housing Task and Finish Group, formed by the Scottish Government and COSLA, has released its final report suggesting that efforts should be made to reduce temporary accommodation and provide better options for shared and supported housing. The report aims to establish supported housing as a viable and sustainable housing option for individuals who are unable or unwilling to live in mainstream housing.

The group emphasises the importance of offering self-contained homes in smaller settings with individual bathrooms and cooking facilities. The report advocates for maximising security of tenure for tenants and fair funding mechanisms to prevent individuals from becoming trapped in a cycle of high rents and benefits dependency.

It recommends a collaborative funding and commissioning model between health and social care partnerships and local authorities to eliminate the stigma associated with supported housing as a form of shared accommodation for the homeless.

Co-chaired by Maggie Brunjes from Homeless Network Scotland and Eileen McMullan from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, the group urges the Scottish Government, local authorities, and housing providers to remodel or establish new models of supported housing that align with the recommendations outlined in the report.

The report is based on extensive research, including input from experts in housing and support services, surveys of local authorities providing supported accommodation, case studies of successful practices, and lived experience feedback.

The ultimate goal is to integrate supported housing more seamlessly within the housing options landscape, focusing on prevention, rapid rehousing, and the Housing 2040 vision for housing in Scotland. The group stresses the importance of support and collaboration between various stakeholders at the local and national levels to achieve these objectives over a reasonable timeframe.

The report also highlights the challenges posed by complex funding mechanisms from the DWP, suggesting that supported housing could be a viable option for young people seeking shared living arrangements without high support needs.

The final report launch was accompanied by a webinar and a visit by the Housing Minister to Queens Cross Housing Association in Glasgow, which offers housing with flexible support for young people aged 16 to 25.

Shona Stephen, Chief Executive of QCHA, expressed pride in the quality of accommodation and support services provided by the organisation, emphasising the collaborative effort between staff and board members to empower young tenants.

Maggie Brunjes, Chief Executive of Homeless Network Scotland, highlighted the importance of redefining supported housing within the context of modern homelessness policy, aiming to address the needs of individuals facing social, health, and economic challenges.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan commended the report for exploring how supported accommodation can contribute to preventing and addressing homelessness, reaffirming the government’s commitment to tackling housing issues in Scotland.

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, stressed the necessity of a coordinated approach to meet the housing needs of all individuals, particularly during a housing emergency and rising homelessness rates. She underlined the importance of reducing the stigma associated with supported housing.

Today, Eileen McMullan from SFHA and Maggie Brunjes from Homeless Network Scotland will provide a detailed overview of the report during a webinar, delving into the key findings and recommendations outlined in the research.