SFHA report calls for reforms to homelessness data collection

SFHA has called for reforms to how homelessness data is assessed after a report found thousands of homes provided to homeless households by housing associations goes unreported each year.

Research by North Star Consulting and Research, commissioned by SFHA, has found that in the last two years nearly 7,000 lets were provided by housing associations to homeless households outside of what has been reported through statutory homeless referrals.

The figures have prompted SFHA to call for reforms to how homelessness data is tracked and assessed. It has warned that solely relying on statutory data, assessed as a Section 5 referral under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, fails to evidence the wider contribution of housing associations to tackling homelessness amid Scotland’s housing emergency.

In 2023-24 around 7,528 homeless households received accommodation through a social housing provider via Section 5- however, there were also 3,109 homeless households who secured accommodation through other routes. Figures for the previous year 2022-23 show 7,169 homeless households accessing accommodation through a Section 5 referral, whilst 3,718 secured accommodation through other routes.

These other routes may include providing accommodation directly through a Common Housing Register, rehousing families served a Notice to Quit in the Private Rented Sector who have yet to formally receive their eviction notice, or a variety of other homeless referral routes such as through the NHS, other charities, or the Armed Forces.

The research also found that existing data did not detail the other ways in which housing associations prevent homelessness in the first place. Of those surveyed, the vast majority of housing associations reported that their organisation provided services such as social security advice, energy efficiency advice and other activities to ensure those at risk of homelessness could sustain their tenancy.

Responding to the research, SFHA called for reforms to how homelessness referral data is collected and added that there must continue to be multiple routes to access social housing for households at risk of homelessness.

SFHA Chief Executive, Richard Meade said: “Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives have a proud track record in tackling homelessness- and that work goes far beyond their role of providing safe, warm and affordable homes.

“Housing associations also play a crucial role in preventing homelessness through income maximisation support, as well as offering advice on  lowering energy bills; employability support; or just signposting to other support services.

“However, the way existing homelessness referral data is collected fails to fully evidence this prevention work, nor does it recognise the variety of ways homeless households access social housing. If we want to ensure everyone has access to the safe, warm and affordable home and all the benefits that brings, then we must protect all routes those experiencing homelessness may use to secure accommodation.

“This can only begin through reforming the way homelessness referral data is collected to ensure the information we have is reliable, accurate and can be tracked to best support those experiencing homelessness into the stability of home.”

A version of the full report is available to download next to this article.