Dundee’s Progress in Ending Homelessness – Report Highlights.

Almost 1000 individuals who were either homeless or at risk of losing their homes were successfully rehoused by Dundee City Council in the past year, as revealed by a recent report.

The statistics, showcasing a 100% success rate in meeting the council’s legal obligations, are highlighted in the review of the fifth year of the Scottish Government-backed Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP).

Mark Flynn, the convener of the council’s Neighbourhood Regeneration, Housing, and Estate Management Committee, expressed, “Despite a 3% decrease in homelessness applications last year, we were able to fulfill the rehousing duty in all 993 cases. Out of these, permanent housing solutions were found for 721 individuals.”

However, while this achievement is commendable, Flynn acknowledges that there is still work to be done in addressing issues such as the prolonged stays in temporary accommodations and the waiting list for permanent housing offers.

According to the RRTP for the fifth year (2023/2024), the capacity of temporary accommodations in Dundee saw a 38% increase from the previous year. Despite this, bed and breakfast facilities continued to be utilised to meet the demand.

To address the persistent challenges posed by homelessness in the upcoming year, the plan outlines various strategies to be implemented. These include:

  • Reducing the reliance on bed and breakfast facilities by refurbishing void properties through the Void Recovery Improvement Plan.
  • Matching homeless applicants with suitable vacant properties at an earlier stage in the allocation process.
  • Exploring a procurement strategy to secure temporary accommodations in the private sector.
  • Utilising the private rental sector when appropriate for applicants who prefer specific locations or types of housing.
  • Enhancing preventative measures through a dedicated strategic working group.

The Neighbourhood Regeneration, Housing, and Estate Management Committee is scheduled to convene on Monday, October 28th to further discuss these initiatives and future plans.

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