FOREWORD
I welcome this second report from the Homelessness Monitoring Group. I would like to thank the Group for their efforts, not only in producing this report but over the course of the year in taking forward the recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force. The advice which such a cross-sector Group is able to offer is invaluable in ensuring we are implementing the recommendations in a way which keeps up the momentum but is also realistic and practical.
The Executive remains committed to abolishing priority need by 2012 - thereby ensuring that every unintentionally homeless person is entitled to permanent accommodation at that point. We are also committed to the full range of Task Force recommendations - implementation of which will support and make possible the radical legislative reforms and will improve the quality of life for all homeless people in Scotland.
Everyone involved in the delivery of the recommendations on the ground should be proud of what has been achieved so far - more homeless people are being rehoused than ever before and the legal rights of those threatened by, or experiencing homelessness, have improved yet further over the last year. Equally important, the range of support and advice in place for people in crisis situations and people working hard to rebuild their lives is also widening.
This is a very important year in terms of our longer term vision as by the end of the year we are required to make a statement setting out the detail of what has been done, is being done and will be done to achieve the 2012 target. We will work closely with the Monitoring Group, and directly with the sectors it represents, to ensure that this statement is based on an informed understanding of the current position and a realistic assessment of what more is required.
MALCOLM CHISHOLM
Minister for Communities