Report details how the policy should improve

Turning Point Scotland is calling for a new oversight group for housing first.

The call is made in a report by the charity which analyses 15 years of progress on the housing first policy

Housing First – 15 Years On explores the past five years since Turning Point Scotland released its last report, while also detailing the change still needed within Scotland’s social care sector.

It believes a new oversight group for housing first, with representatives from across the whole system could provide direction, guidance and pressure to scale up services to meet demand.

Housing first is an approach to ending homelessness that prioritises providing immediate, permanent housing to people with complex needs, with intensive support services offered as a follow-up. 

The charity has a long history with the service model as the organisation that led on bringing the housing first to the UK and established the first service.

The report has been released ahead of Scotland’s Annual Homeless Conference in Perth that will be held on 27 and 28 October and will form part of the official delegate pack.

Nicky Miller, Turning Point Scotland’s head of homelessness and prevention, will form part of a discussion panel, Housing First at 15 – The Teenage Years, drawing on the learnings outlined in the report.

Miller said: “We are proud of Turning Point Scotland’s legacy in bringing Housing First to the UK. We have released this report ahead of Scotland’s Annual Homeless Conference as we want to constructively contribute to discussions at this event around Housing First.

“This report reflects on what has changed and what still needs to change, not just in terms of delivering Housing First services but to ensure that the whole social care system is designed to deliver wrap around support when and where it is needed.”