Homeless people in Scotland could be about to benefit from a law which would see settled accommodation acknowledged as a legal right.

Following Parliamentary approval, the new law will come into effect from 31 December 2012.

It will mean all councils in Scotland have to provide settled accommodation for anyone who is unintentionally homeless.

As it stands, the law only entitles people within certain groups identified as being in priority need, such as families with dependent children.

The law will see local authorities distinguish between a person who has become homeless through no fault of their own and a person who, through deliberate action or inaction, has contributed to their homelessness.

Regardless of intentionality, the local authority must seek to find solutions to the person's homelessness and offer support to address any difficulties that they face.

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Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: "We commend the local authorities who have taken the right steps towards ensuring every unintentionally homeless person has the right to a home – in effect meeting the commitment. They can be very proud that they are leading the way in making history.

"However, the 2012 commitment does not mark an end point. If the commitment is to make a real difference to the lives of homeless people in Scotland, it must go hand in hand with a renewed focus on building more homes and preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place."

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "In Scotland we have been clear that people who lose their home through no fault of their own must be helped through what is a time of crisis. They now have that right written into law.

"Local authorities, their partners and the Scottish Government have worked closely to ensure that the 2012 homelessness target is achievable. This has meant focussing efforts on prevention, so less people are actually reaching the point of homelessness. Figures have shown that is working, with homelessness substantially reduced.

Scottish Federation of Housing Association’s (SFHA) Chief Executive Dr Mary Taylor added:

"SFHA commends the efforts of the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities in realising the 2012 homelessness commitment.

"However challenges remain in trying to ensure that an adequate supply of settled accommodation can be realised. These challenges are perhaps greater now than ever before given the UK Government’s welfare reforms and the challenge of delivering investment to maintain supply."

(IT)