Dundee could be only Scottish city where homeless aren’t turned away

Dundee City Council is believed to be the only local authority in Scotland that has turned no homeless people away in the past three years.

Latest figures show the majority of councils in the country turn down a percentage of people who have nowhere to go or are about to lose their homes.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to find accommodation for people facing homelessness.

The council’s neighbourhood services convener, Councillor Kevin Cordell, said: “We are aware of the complex issues surrounding homelessness and rough sleeping and are working closely with partners to ensure the services we provide meet the need.

“The council provides a one-door advice, information and accommodation service for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

“We understand that being homeless or being in danger of losing a home is difficult and traumatic and our aim is to offer a service that is sympathetic to the situation.”

Government guidance says people must be recorded as homeless even if they are also applying for advice under what is known as Housing Options.

Being recorded as officially homeless ensures the applicant is not missing out on access to temporary accommodation and additional support.

Scotland-wide figures show a large variation in how many people recorded under Housing Options do not make a homeless application.

In Dundee it has been 0% for the past three years, meaning all people are registered homeless, as the guidance states they should be.

In Angus, 44% of people presenting as homeless did not go on to make a homeless application in 2016-17.

Perth and Kinross Council and Fife Council did not issue figures.

Mr Cordell said: “We do not use bed and breakfast establishments for temporary accommodation and work with people to provide more permanent tenancies with the council, other registered social landlords or private sector providers.

“We are continually looking at ways to improve our Housing Options and homelessness service and are working with Social Bite to look at implementing models to meet the needs of applicants where appropriate.”

We understand that being homeless or being in danger of losing a home is difficult and traumatic

Proportion of people presenting as homeless who did not go on to make a homeless application:

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 Angus 60% 57% 44% Dundee 0% 0% 0% Perth and Kinross Did not issue figures Fife Did not issue figures

Kevin Cordell says Dundee City Council is aware of the complex issues around homelessness.