Public attitudes towards homelessness in Scotland: informing a policy target

1. Public attitudes towards homelessness in Scotland: informing a policy target Lisa Taylor Housing Research HSA Conference Workshop 16th April 2009 Introduction Im Lisa Taylor- ive worked in social research for past 4 years- for past 2 years Ive worked in Communities Analytical Services which is an analytical mix of statisticians, economists and researchers which support the Housing and Regeneration (policy) Directorate in the SG. I work in Housing Research- the role of a Government Social Research may be quite different to many of analysts in the audienace. For the most part our main role is providing analytical advice to policy colleagues, often involves the specification of research and commissioning out. For past 2 years Ive mostly been supporting the homelessness and social housing policy divisions. CLICK onto Overview SlideIntroduction Im Lisa Taylor- ive worked in social research for past 4 years- for past 2 years Ive worked in Communities Analytical Services which is an analytical mix of statisticians, economists and researchers which support the Housing and Regeneration (policy) Directorate in the SG. I work in Housing Research- the role of a Government Social Research may be quite different to many of analysts in the audienace. For the most part our main role is providing analytical advice to policy colleagues, often involves the specification of research and commissioning out. For past 2 years Ive mostly been supporting the homelessness and social housing policy divisions. CLICK onto Overview Slide

2. Overview Homelessness Reform in Scotland Developments post Devolution Policy target abolition of priority need- 2012 2012 Progress Public Attitudes towards homelessness Why study public attitudes? Some findings Some implications So what im going to talk about to-day is on homelessness- starting off with a quick whistle stop tour on Scotland�s approach to homelessness legislation since Devolution- mostly around policy context of abolition of priority need- this is a specific part of our legislation which many commentators say makes a divergent approach to other areas of the UK and then I will turn to attitudes towards homelessness which is a project the SG commissioned and I PM into public attitudes- I�ll cover some of the findings and then talk about its implications in the context of whether public attitudes in Scotland are aligned with the current and future policy directions.So what im going to talk about to-day is on homelessness- starting off with a quick whistle stop tour on Scotland�s approach to homelessness legislation since Devolution- mostly around policy context of abolition of priority need- this is a specific part of our legislation which many commentators say makes a divergent approach to other areas of the UK and then I will turn to attitudes towards homelessness which is a project the SG commissioned and I PM into public attitudes- I�ll cover some of the findings and then talk about its implications in the context of whether public attitudes in Scotland are aligned with the current and future policy directions.

3. Homelessness reform under Devolution Scottish Parliament 1999 Policy Review Established Ministerial Homelessness Task Force (HTF) Acts of Parliament 2001 & 2003

4. Legislative Framework Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Expansion of priority need Homelessness Strategies Temporary Accommodation for non-priority homeless Homelessness (Scotland) Act 2003 Abolition of priority need Advice & support provision Prevention Housing Scotland Act 2001 and Homelessness Scotland Act 2003: Priority need � 2001 Act extended rates of people not in priority need to at least temporary accommodation. 2003 Act extends definition of priority need to cover other groups AND sets target to abolish the distinction by 2012. Means right to permanent accommodation extended to ALL people who find themselves unintentionally homeless. Intentionality � 2003 Act allows for the DUTY on LAs to investigate whether someone is intentionally homeless to become a POWER and introduced new rights to a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy with appropriate support to address the causes of intentionality (though nb those evicted for ASB may still be excluded from this). Local connection � 2003 Act introduced provision to modify the requirement that people prove they have a local connection with the LA they apply as homeless in. At time report was written SE were consulting on taking this forward and understand the SG is still discussing this with COSLA. Emphasis on empowerment, choice and expansion of rights and safety net Housing Scotland Act 2001 and Homelessness Scotland Act 2003: Priority need � 2001 Act extended rates of people not in priority need to at least temporary accommodation. 2003 Act extends definition of priority need to cover other groups AND sets target to abolish the distinction by 2012. Means right to permanent accommodation extended to ALL people who find themselves unintentionally homeless. Intentionality � 2003 Act allows for the DUTY on LAs to investigate whether someone is intentionally homeless to become a POWER and introduced new rights to a Short Scottish Secure Tenancy with appropriate support to address the causes of intentionality (though nb those evicted for ASB may still be excluded from this). Local connection � 2003 Act introduced provision to modify the requirement that people prove they have a local connection with the LA they apply as homeless in. At time report was written SE were consulting on taking this forward and understand the SG is still discussing this with COSLA. Emphasis on empowerment, choice and expansion of rights and safety net

5. 2007 & beyond��. SNP Minority Government Concordat Performance Framework Scotland Performs�. A concordat was agreed in November 2007 between the Scottish Government and local authorities setting out the terms of a new relationship between the two sides, based on mutual respect and partnership. It underpins the funding to be provided to local government over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. The SG has established a National Performance Framework: this is now the context for everything we do in Govt. One Purpose: to focus the Govt and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through creating sustainable economic growth. Related to this purpose are 7 High Level Targets or Purpose targets. Flick to next slide. There are then 15 National Outcomes for the SG and its partners to aim to deliver, and 45 national indicators which will demonstrate our progress to meeting those indicators over the period to the next election. Information on how we�re doing will be available online on the Scotland Performs website. A concordat was agreed in November 2007 between the Scottish Government and local authorities setting out the terms of a new relationship between the two sides, based on mutual respect and partnership. It underpins the funding to be provided to local government over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11. The SG has established a National Performance Framework: this is now the context for everything we do in Govt. One Purpose: to focus the Govt and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through creating sustainable economic growth. Related to this purpose are 7 High Level Targets or Purpose targets. Flick to next slide. There are then 15 National Outcomes for the SG and its partners to aim to deliver, and 45 national indicators which will demonstrate our progress to meeting those indicators over the period to the next election. Information on how we�re doing will be available online on the Scotland Performs website.

6. A New Agenda? Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland (Oct 2007) Affordable Housing- 35,000 new homes by 2015 PRS Review First Time Buyers Abolition of Communities Scotland Scottish Housing Regulator Ministerial Commitment to 2012 target Homelessness- role for PRS? (Consultation 2008 on discharge of duty into PRS) So what did this mean for the housing policy agenda and for homelessness in particular? Priorties for new Government- wider housing agenda and link to affordable housing supply.So what did this mean for the housing policy agenda and for homelessness in particular? Priorties for new Government- wider housing agenda and link to affordable housing supply.

7. 2012 target: what does it mean? By 2012 all unintentionally homeless households will have the right to permanent accommodation. Assessments of those in priority need at 100% for LAs Equalisation of rights End of distinction between homeless households assessed as having a priority need Expansion of a RIGHTS based approach Long implementation plan Target- misconceptions. Earliest day in which SMs will have a view on whether all LAs can reasonably be expected to perform the duties. Target- misconceptions. Earliest day in which SMs will have a view on whether all LAs can reasonably be expected to perform the duties.

8. National Indicator-All unintentionally homeless households will be entitled to settled accommodation by 2012 What will influence this? Effectiveness of councils� prevention activity Affordable housing supply in right locations Tenure solution to needs Ability of ALL social landlords to contribute to suitable lets Provision of housing and wider support to help most vulnerable stay in settled accommodation SG gov prioritiesSG gov priorities

9. What is the Scottish Government�s Role? Monitor and review operation through statistical data collection and focused research Developing and updating statutory guidance on operational aspects of legislation Ensuring guidance on planning, local housing strategies reflects needs of homeless households Enacting secondary legislation on duties and powers of local authorities Provision of new affordable housing Working in Partnership Priority on ability to do it, capacity to do so, working in partnership�not about changing and reform againPriority on ability to do it, capacity to do so, working in partnership�not about changing and reform again

10. Homelessness in Scotland: A current picture What? 56,609 applications, 40,299 assessed as homeless Who? Single person households (60%) mainly men Why? Household disputes or relationship breakdown (27%) Where? Tenancy in social housing 80% assessed as in priority need Single people aged between 25 and retirement were largest priority group

11. 2012- Progress? So what is progress to 2012-are local authorities in Scotland delivering in their capacity to deliver 2012 commitments. Graph shows that no of homelessness apps and asses from 92- 2001- is when legislation has kicked in- what that�s done has increased applications, assessments and the numbers assessed as priority need. Nationally our success rate can we assessed as the numbers assessed as in priority need. Nationally- green line those in priority need are being assessed at 83%- means we are more than four-fifths of our way towards 2012 target. Of course caveat to that is that some LAs are doing much better than others. Currently around half of the 32 LAs in Scotland are assessing 80% of households as in prority need. Some as low as 50%. Represents encouraging progress toward 2012 but Challenge noted with capital C!! Esp for LA for furtherest to travel in terms of increasing there prioity assessments or reducing non-priority assessments.So what is progress to 2012-are local authorities in Scotland delivering in their capacity to deliver 2012 commitments. Graph shows that no of homelessness apps and asses from 92- 2001- is when legislation has kicked in- what that�s done has increased applications, assessments and the numbers assessed as priority need. Nationally our success rate can we assessed as the numbers assessed as in priority need. Nationally- green line those in priority need are being assessed at 83%- means we are more than four-fifths of our way towards 2012 target. Of course caveat to that is that some LAs are doing much better than others. Currently around half of the 32 LAs in Scotland are assessing 80% of households as in prority need. Some as low as 50%. Represents encouraging progress toward 2012 but Challenge noted with capital C!! Esp for LA for furtherest to travel in terms of increasing there prioity assessments or reducing non-priority assessments.

12. 2012- Who has gained? Priority assessments by household type: Shows main gainers from 2012 have been single people all ages:- Note growth (at a lower rate) before legislation kicked in. Interesting growth in single parents over the period. Dotted lines are those who would have had priority. Priority assessments by household type: Shows main gainers from 2012 have been single people all ages:- Note growth (at a lower rate) before legislation kicked in. Interesting growth in single parents over the period. Dotted lines are those who would have had priority.

13. Why study public attitudes? A context of reform Welcomed by Charities BUT Mixed views among service users And public views unknown So moving on to talk about the public attitudes work- Why study attitudes towards homelessness. Well clearly as ive just highlighted clearly there was a context of reform. Scotland was perceived as having the most progressive homeless legislation in the world- the provisions set out in the 2001 & 2003 Acts were widely praised by voluntary sector and housing lobbying groups However a study in 2006 found that some front line staff and practicioners working in LAs with homeless people were lukewarm to them legislative changes- for example: 55% did not think that the abolition need for fair- although this probably reflected concerns over limited resources. 72% of staff surveyed said that a better understanding of homelessness amongst the general public would make their job easier and to the run up to 2012. So at this time we have a period of change and important change in terms of commitment to homelessness.So moving on to talk about the public attitudes work- Why study attitudes towards homelessness. Well clearly as ive just highlighted clearly there was a context of reform. Scotland was perceived as having the most progressive homeless legislation in the world- the provisions set out in the 2001 & 2003 Acts were widely praised by voluntary sector and housing lobbying groups However a study in 2006 found that some front line staff and practicioners working in LAs with homeless people were lukewarm to them legislative changes- for example: 55% did not think that the abolition need for fair- although this probably reflected concerns over limited resources. 72% of staff surveyed said that a better understanding of homelessness amongst the general public would make their job easier and to the run up to 2012.

14. The Study First large-scale UK based research on attitudes to homelessness Key Questions: How do people feel about homelessness people? How do views vary between different groups How far are public attitudes in tune with the direction of SG policy? HMG sub-group - Awareness Raising and Best Practice subgroup � advises the Government on how to raise awareness on realities of being homeless and how to disseminate accurate information and dispel myths. Given this remit, important that future strategies based on a clear understanding of how homelessness is viewed by people in Scotland Views between groups � both attitudes of different groups of people (e.g. old vs. young), and differences in attitudes towards different types of homeless people or people homeless for different reasons. Key issue � how far are public attitudes in tune of direction of Scottish Government policy? Indication of how much public resistance there may be to the implementation of these policies in the future HMG sub-group - Awareness Raising and Best Practice subgroup � advises the Government on how to raise awareness on realities of being homeless and how to disseminate accurate information and dispel myths. Given this remit, important that future strategies based on a clear understanding of how homelessness is viewed by people in Scotland Views between groups � both attitudes of different groups of people (e.g. old vs. young), and differences in attitudes towards different types of homeless people or people homeless for different reasons. Key issue � how far are public attitudes in tune of direction of Scottish Government policy? Indication of how much public resistance there may be to the implementation of these policies in the future

15. The Study- Method Module of questions on 2006 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey Annual independent survey run by ScotCen 1,594 interviews with adults aged 18+ in 2006 High quality sample and design Highlight independence � not commissioned or controlled by government or any other funder Highlight difference from commercial polls � probability sample, which means once interviewers issued with addresses they cannot just go next door to get an interview. Gold standard for survey � really important in making sure your sample is representative of whole population, not just keen beans who like doing surveys or the people who happen to be in. Highlight independence � not commissioned or controlled by government or any other funder Highlight difference from commercial polls � probability sample, which means once interviewers issued with addresses they cannot just go next door to get an interview. Gold standard for survey � really important in making sure your sample is representative of whole population, not just keen beans who like doing surveys or the people who happen to be in.

16. The Study- Themes Personal experience and awareness General attitudes to homelessness Belief in �myths� about homelessness �Deserving� and �Undeserving� homeless people (priority need) Attitudes towards intentionally homeless Homelessness in the local area A suite of 18 questions of the above themes- Just going to talk about 2, 3 and 4 today. A suite of 18 questions of the above themes- Just going to talk about 2, 3 and 4 today.

17. Public Attitudes Most homeless people have just been unlucky in their lives? Explain � want them to say whether they agree or disagree or neither with various statements about homeless people by standing in relevant place in room. These are all questions we included in the survey, so will show you what the public said in a minute. Explain also that this is based on lesson plan SCSH have designed. GET THEM TO GUESS WHAT % OF PUBLIC AGREED WITH THIS Explain � want them to say whether they agree or disagree or neither with various statements about homeless people by standing in relevant place in room. These are all questions we included in the survey, so will show you what the public said in a minute. Explain also that this is based on lesson plan SCSH have designed. GET THEM TO GUESS WHAT % OF PUBLIC AGREED WITH THIS

18. Most homeless people have just been unlucky in their lives

19. Public Attitudes Most homeless people could find somewhere to live if they really tried?

20. Most homeless people could find somewhere to live if they really tried

21. Public Attitudes Many people said they are homeless just to try and get a house from the Council?

22. Many people say they are homeless just to try and get a house from the Council

23. Other Findings Possible for individuals to be �sympathetic� in one respect and more �judgemental� in others Women are more sympathetic than men Attitudes vary by age, education, how liberal or authoritarian people are But by tenure, deprivation, income, newspaper readership, class- less significant General point from these is that public attitudes are widely divided � many people agree with statement that implies homelessness is not the individual�s fault, but similarly many people agree with more critical statements that imply more judgemental attitudes towards the motives and behaviour of people presenting as homeless. e.g. among those who agree that most homeless people could find somewhere to live if they really tried (LEAST sympathetic position on this question), 44% agree that �most homeless people have just been unlucky in their lives� (the MOST sympathetic position). Variations: Sex � e.g. more likely agree most homeless people have just been unlucky � 53% compared with 42% of men Age � both younger and older people are more likely than middle-aged to think �most homeless people could find somewhere to live if really tried� Education � highly qualified less likely to think �most homeless people could find somewhere to live if really tried� or that many say they are homeless just to get a house from the council. However, it is those with most qualifications who are most likely to say that �most homeless people have just been unlucky� - possibly because those with higher educational quals are considering broader social context of homelessness in their response and are less likely to think homelessness is �just� bad luck rather than a result of a lack of affordable housing etc.? Lib-auth � SSA asks a series of questions designed to tap how �liberal� or �authoritarian� people�s general views are. Used this to create an index. Analysis shows that having liberal attitudes in general is strongly associated with being more sympathetic to homeless people in general. Other factors not as strongly related to general attitudes to homelessness. In particular, fact that those who present as homeless are likely to be applying for social rented housing does not appear to make social renters any more or less suspicious/negative than others. Exception � those in managerial/professional occupations and on higher incomes are more likely to disagree that most homeless people have just been unlucky. General point from these is that public attitudes are widely divided � many people agree with statement that implies homelessness is not the individual�s fault, but similarly many people agree with more critical statements that imply more judgemental attitudes towards the motives and behaviour of people presenting as homeless. e.g. among those who agree that most homeless people could find somewhere to live if they really tried (LEAST sympathetic position on this question), 44% agree that �most homeless people have just been unlucky in their lives� (the MOST sympathetic position). Variations: Sex � e.g. more likely agree most homeless people have just been unlucky � 53% compared with 42% of men Age � both younger and older people are more likely than middle-aged to think �most homeless people could find somewhere to live if really tried� Education � highly qualified less likely to think �most homeless people could find somewhere to live if really tried� or that many say they are homeless just to get a house from the council. However, it is those with most qualifications who are most likely to say that �most homeless people have just been unlucky� - possibly because those with higher educational quals are considering broader social context of homelessness in their response and are less likely to think homelessness is �just� bad luck rather than a result of a lack of affordable housing etc.? Lib-auth � SSA asks a series of questions designed to tap how �liberal� or �authoritarian� people�s general views are. Used this to create an index. Analysis shows that having liberal attitudes in general is strongly associated with being more sympathetic to homeless people in general. Other factors not as strongly related to general attitudes to homelessness. In particular, fact that those who present as homeless are likely to be applying for social rented housing does not appear to make social renters any more or less suspicious/negative than others. Exception � those in managerial/professional occupations and on higher incomes are more likely to disagree that most homeless people have just been unlucky.

24. �Myths� about people experiencing homelessness Most homeless people sleep rough outside at some point Most people end up being homeless simply because they drink too much Most homeless people use hard drugs One of key aims of Awareness Raising and Best Practice sub-group who we did this research for is to challenge myths about homelessness. Includes both �factual� myths (e.g. about rough sleeping � we know that only a tiny proportion of homeless people are on the street) and moral ones � e.g. that homeless people are anti-social and shouldn�t have rights to social housing, that most people are homeless as result of drink or drugs. Asked people how much they agreed or disagreed with three �myths�. GET PEOPLE TO GUESS WHAT % THINK MOST HOMELESS PEOPLE SLEEP ROUGH OUTSIDE AT SOME POINT BEFORE SHOW NEXT SLIDE One of key aims of Awareness Raising and Best Practice sub-group who we did this research for is to challenge myths about homelessness. Includes both �factual� myths (e.g. about rough sleeping � we know that only a tiny proportion of homeless people are on the street) and moral ones � e.g. that homeless people are anti-social and shouldn�t have rights to social housing, that most people are homeless as result of drink or drugs. Asked people how much they agreed or disagreed with three �myths�. GET PEOPLE TO GUESS WHAT % THINK MOST HOMELESS PEOPLE SLEEP ROUGH OUTSIDE AT SOME POINT BEFORE SHOW NEXT SLIDE

25. What the public think- sleeping rough Note that belief in this does not vary particularly by things like sex and education. Note that belief in this does not vary particularly by things like sex and education.

26. What the public think- use of drugs and alcohol Beliefs about moral myths more divided � half disagree with both these statements, but 1 in 5 agree with them. Groups who agree are similar to those who hold more �critical� or �unsympathetic� attitudes to homeless people in general: Men Youngest and oldest age groups Those with no qualifications Those on lower incomes Those who are most authoritarian in general beliefs. Beliefs about moral myths more divided � half disagree with both these statements, but 1 in 5 agree with them. Groups who agree are similar to those who hold more �critical� or �unsympathetic� attitudes to homeless people in general: Men Youngest and oldest age groups Those with no qualifications Those on lower incomes Those who are most authoritarian in general beliefs.

27. �Deserving� homeless people? Do people think some homeless people are more deserving than others? Who is most and least deserving? Idea behind abolishing priority need is that all those who are unintentionally homeless should have same opportunity to access accommodation. Tried to understand public support for this idea by: Asking whether in general they think some more deserving of help than others Asking those who think some more deserving than others which they think are most/least deserving Addressed both people who have become homeless for different reasons and different kinds of people (since in practice the priority need categories cover a mixture of types of people and people in different circumstances) Idea behind abolishing priority need is that all those who are unintentionally homeless should have same opportunity to access accommodation. Tried to understand public support for this idea by: Asking whether in general they think some more deserving of help than others Asking those who think some more deserving than others which they think are most/least deserving Addressed both people who have become homeless for different reasons and different kinds of people (since in practice the priority need categories cover a mixture of types of people and people in different circumstances)

28. * PN prior to 2003 Act+ expanded PN post-2003 Broadly speaking, the findings suggest that public attitudes are in line with current definitions of priority need. 3 of the 4 groups of homeless groups most commonly identified as being �most deserving� of help are all clearly defined as in �priority need� by current guidance (victims of domestic abuse, people with mental health problems and young people leaving children�s homes) The 4th � those who have become homeless as a result of a family break-up � are likely to be considered in �priority need� if they have dependent children Turning to those deemed least deserving of help � only one of the bottom four groups �those leaving prison� is currently included in definitions of priority need. The others � noisy neighbours, moved to scotland and those with drug and alcohol problems would not presently be considered in priority need (unless there are extenuating circumstances or they were considered vulnerable. Worth noting that some of those who are considered least deserving may be more likely to be found intentionally homeless � e.g. ASB, drug problems � so would not automatically be entitled to same level of help even after all the 2003 provisions are implemented. Broadly speaking, the findings suggest that public attitudes are in line with current definitions of priority need. 3 of the 4 groups of homeless groups most commonly identified as being �most deserving� of help are all clearly defined as in �priority need� by current guidance (victims of domestic abuse, people with mental health problems and young people leaving children�s homes) The 4th � those who have become homeless as a result of a family break-up � are likely to be considered in �priority need� if they have dependent children Turning to those deemed least deserving of help � only one of the bottom four groups �those leaving prison� is currently included in definitions of priority need. The others � noisy neighbours, moved to scotland and those with drug and alcohol problems would not presently be considered in priority need (unless there are extenuating circumstances or they were considered vulnerable. Worth noting that some of those who are considered least deserving may be more likely to be found intentionally homeless � e.g. ASB, drug problems � so would not automatically be entitled to same level of help even after all the 2003 provisions are implemented.

29. What kinds of people should get most help? Similar picture with respect to kinds of people people think should get most help finding a new home � top 3 would all be covered by PN. Similar picture with respect to kinds of people people think should get most help finding a new home � top 3 would all be covered by PN.

30. Are attitudes aligned with Scottish Government policy? 6 in 10 say some homeless people are more deserving of help than others Groups considered most and least deserving do reflect current guidance�but ��..2012 and beyond? Public opinion�some way to go before in line with abolition of priority need. So thinking back to abolition of priority need and ending the distinction between groups being more in need than others����.well in general we can say NO attitudes aren't aligned majority of those surveyed believed in distinguishing between the deserving and undeserving. Suggests that people in Scotland still have some way to go before being aligned to way policy is going. A snapshot- a package of findings which gave a useful insight into attitudes for 1st time and provided a baseline from which to measure impact of policy implementation from 2012.So thinking back to abolition of priority need and ending the distinction between groups being more in need than others����.well in general we can say NO attitudes aren't aligned majority of those surveyed believed in distinguishing between the deserving and undeserving. Suggests that people in Scotland still have some way to go before being aligned to way policy is going. A snapshot- a package of findings which gave a useful insight into attitudes for 1st time and provided a baseline from which to measure impact of policy implementation from 2012.

31. Policy Implications? Challenge myth on rough sleeping Highlight background and situation of different homeless people Convince of rationale of abolishing distinctions Increase understanding of circumstances of those perceived as �less deserving� So what does this mean for evidence for policy- thinking back to government target of abolishing priority need distinctions by 2012�.. 1st time public attitudes have been explored and its telling us we need to dispel myths and stereotypes particulary around rough sleeping. Stop using negative images like this to portray homelessness. If we are to deliver 2012 commitment- we will need to convince people of the rationale of abolishing distinctions between groups and we�ll need to do more to highlight the needs of those perceived less deserving. Its about saying more that homelessness is not about individual characteristics, its not a population of people its driven by certain life triggers, transitions and lack of coping mechanisms at a certain point in people�s lives that affect their housing outcomes.So what does this mean for evidence for policy- thinking back to government target of abolishing priority need distinctions by 2012�.. 1st time public attitudes have been explored and its telling us we need to dispel myths and stereotypes particulary around rough sleeping. Stop using negative images like this to portray homelessness. If we are to deliver 2012 commitment- we will need to convince people of the rationale of abolishing distinctions between groups and we�ll need to do more to highlight the needs of those perceived less deserving. Its about saying more that homelessness is not about individual characteristics, its not a population of people its driven by certain life triggers, transitions and lack of coping mechanisms at a certain point in people�s lives that affect their housing outcomes.

32. More information�.. Homelessness Policy http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/homeless Homelessness Statistics in Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/RefTables Scottish Government Housing Research http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/by-topic/Planning Lisa.Taylor@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Lastly key places you want to find more info�..Lastly key places you want to find more info�..